Abstract: The processor section comprises a matrix-line layout of processor units; each processor unit combined with adjacent processor units in row and column direction by means of IPC buses, which are two-way buses. The control/memory section comprises arrays of control/memory units corresponding one-to-one to the processor units; each control/memory unit entering instructions and data simultaneously to the corresponding units in the processor section via optical channels to carry out arithmetic operations. By providing grid-like buses on the control/memory-unit arrays, and transferring instructions and data on the buses and sending them to the processor unit corresponding one-to-one to the control/memory unit to which data are transferred via optical channels, the transfer of instructions and data is carried out efficiently between processor units beyond the third closest ones.

Abstract: MIMD and pipeline processing is executed by entering data and control signals into processing chips in the form of optical signals, and entering multi-bit information (data and control signals) in parallel and at high speed on the basis of non-coherence of light beams. The efficiency of MIMD processing function has been improved by expanding data transfer buses between processors and output buses in place of data and control signal input buses that have become unnecessary. A processing chip for receiving optical signals consists of a large number of cells dedicated for vector computations, and/or a large number of cells dedicated for vector computations and/or cells dedicated for arithmetic and logical computations. A processing chip for wide applications ranging from vector computations to logical computations by employing a construction combining both processors.

Abstract: A chip package for an IC chip having at least an optical-signal input or output section comprises a container-like chip carrier for carrying the IC chip, a sealing cover bonded to the chip carrier and having a window for the optical-signal section, and a connector plate holding a plurality of optical signal transmission elements which are used to transmit a plurality of optical signals en bloc so that optical signals are input to or output from the optical-signal section through the window on the cover. The chip carrier and the connector plate are securely attached to a circuit board in the state where the connector plate has been separately positioned in a predetermined spatial relationship with the chip carrier.

Abstract: A matrix-vector multiplication apparatus for performing a matrix operation at high speed and in a wide dynamic range, i.e., high precision, wherein an input vector is displayed with radiance of pixels, a display image is replicated into many images through an optical system. Component multiplications and partial summing between rows or columns of the matrix and the input vector are simultaneously performed by a light transmissive mask having transmitance proportional to one digit value of multi-scale (three or more) matrix component and a photosensor. Parallel channels each assigned to a different digit of the matrix component calculates the partial sums and a power-of-m (m is the number of scales) scaling summer connected to the parallel channels electrically produces components of an output vector.

Abstract: An optical pattern extracting apparatus has sets of strip-like photodetection elements oriented in horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions for decomposing a displayed character to be recognized, the photodetection elements are distributed in a large number of parallel microimage channels generated through an optical image multiplication system and the photodetection elements cover a display area of the character without their photodetection areas overlapping each other.

Abstract: In a mask for transmitting a light subjected to a projection on a predetermined position and for detecting the light, transmittances of the mask are distributed in correspondence with a statistical distribution of the predetermined positions of the light. Information represented by optical signals can be detected with a high probability.

Abstract: In an image recognition apparatus for identifying an input image such as a character, any other graphic pattern or the like by comparing the input image with a plurality of reference image, an optical image recognition means simultaneously performs image information detection processing of a plurality of optical pattern images of substantially an identical shape obtained by multiplying the input image, thereby detecting a plurality of image information data corresponding to the plurality of optical pattern images and hence identifies the input image. When the input image cannot be identified by the optical image recognition means, an electronic image recognition means performs digital correlation calculations for limited ones of the reference images according to the above image information data. Therefore, image recognition can be performed by an inexpensive apparatus at high speed, and a high throughput can be obtained. In addition, a high recognition rate can be obtained.

Abstract: In an apparatus for simultaneously extracting various types of projection features of an image such as a character or any other figure, an image whose projection features are to be extracted is optically multiplied by a multiplier (4) to form a plurality of optical image each having a substantially identical shape, and the plurality of images are independently supplied to a plurality of detecting means (5A) to simultaneously obtain the various types of projection features. The arrangement of the apparatus can be simplified at low cost, and at the same time, parallel extraction of the projection features can be achieved within a short period of time. Various types of projection features can be simply obtained as needed.

Abstract: A matrix operation apparatus for performing a matrix operation at high speed and in a wide dynamic range, i.e., high precision, wherein an input vector is displayed with radiance of pixels, a display image is replicated through an optical system, component multiplications and partial summing between rows or columns of the matrix and the input vector are simultaneously performed by a transparent/opaque mask representing a binary-valued matrix component and a photosensor, parallel channels, each assigned to different bit of the matrix component calculates the partial sums and a power-of-2 scaling summer connected to the parallel channels electrically produces components of an output vector.

Abstract: In an apparatus for analyzing local features of a character or any other figures, an extraction of the local features is performed by correlation calculations using a plurality of first reference masks, an analysis associated with combinations of the extracted local feature is performed by pattern matchings using a plurality of second reference masks, and the extraction and the analysis are performed optically and simultaneously with respect to the plurality of reference masks, respectively. Therefore, the local features analysis can be performed at high speed and accurately.

Abstract: In an apparatus for serially performing simultaneous feature processing and similarity discrimination of an image such as a character or any other figure, an input image is multiplied by a first multiplier into a plurality of optical pattern images which are respectively supplied to means for detecting different types of projection features. The means for detecting different types of projection features simultaneously performs different types of projection operations of the input image. The optical pattern image obtained by converting a vector corresponding to the different types of projection features is displayed on a vector display. The optical pattern image displayed on the display is multiplied by a second multiplier into optical images which are then respectively supplied to different types of reference masks. Optical pattern matching between the optical images from the second multiplier and the different types of reference patterns is simultaneously performed.

Abstract: In a lines and character separation apparatus for separating lines and characters in a document page, the separation being a step in pattern recognition, images are multiplied from one area within the page, a plurality of photosensor arrays are used which have different alignment directions of pluralities of light-receiving elements thereof and which are respectively paired with the multiple images, and the lines and the characters can be separated at high speed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for preprocessing of character recognition so as to obtain data necessary for character recognition, page segmentation is performed by simultaneously extracting a plurality of features, separation between lines, separation between characters, and separation between the lines and the characters are simultaneously performed, and a calculation time for normalizing the separated individual characters can be reduced, thereby performing proprocessing required for character recognition systematically at high speed.

Abstract: A laminated panel composed of a plastic sheet and a glass sheet bonded to each other through an adhesive layer having a thickness of not more than about 200 microns and composed of a thermoplastic resin having a softening point of less than about 100.degree. C., containing substantially no plasticizer and being plastic at room temperature, said plastic sheet being composed of a resin having a higher softening point than said thermoplastic resin.