Abstract: Real-time swept source OCT data is most often sampled using a specially cut hardware k-clock. The present invention involves mathematically resampling signals within an FPGA-based data acquisition board based on data sampled from a wide free spectral range reference interferometer. The FPGA can then multiply up the reference clock rate to achieve greater imaging depth. The Nyquist fold-over depth can thus be programmed from a standard reference to an arbitrary depth, much as PLL frequency synthesizer can produce many frequencies from a standard stable reference. The system is also capable of real-time performance.

Abstract: Real-time swept source OCT data is most often sampled using a specially cut hardware k-clock. The present invention involves mathematically resampling signals within an FPGA-based data acquisition board based on data sampled from a wide free spectral range reference interferometer. The FPGA can then multiply up the reference clock rate to achieve greater imaging depth. The Nyquist fold-over depth can thus be programmed from a standard reference to an arbitrary depth, much as PLL frequency synthesizer can produce many frequencies from a standard stable reference. The system is also capable of real-time performance.

Abstract: A ring-structured network allowing bidirectional, point-to-point, communications between a plurality of nodes (200A-E), some of them equipped with a computing element (210) and a local memory element (221), and others, possibly, serving as input/output devices. In addition to clocks and miscellaneous signals, the network is divided cross-sectionally into two pipelined busses, or pipes: one (995A-B) to signal node selection, and another (996A-B) to convey data. Values, termed tags, sent over the selection pipe are interpreted, as they arrive, at the nodes, by means of lookup tables. Several varieties of selection can be represented in these tables, some, e.g., signalling read or write transfers between the data pipe and local memory element (221). Other varieties may signal the loading of local memory address pointers (223, 224, or 225) from the data pipe. Tags are generated by a specialized node (100), which thus serves as a traffic controller.

Abstract: A system for the accumulation of detailed moment-to-moment information concerning the movements of players and of the ball in a sporting contest. One or more cameras (11, 12, 14) are situated so as to cover the entire playing area (10) of the event. The output of at least one of these cameras is provided to a digital image processor (22), which tracks the movements of the images, or silhouettes, of players in the camera images. By employing multiple camera views of the same playing area, the tracking processor can, in most cases, resolve ambiguities arising from overlaps in any one view. For the remaining, unresolved, cases, one or more human operators, provided with the same or similar camera views, are employed, through an interactive interface. The operators are provided with apparatus (30) for identifying players, through a query/response method, as requested by the tracking processor (22).

Abstract: An analog Gaussian convolver for performing high speed convolutions of arrary functions (e.g. image arrays) with masks or operators which uses two units of 2-dimensional Gaussians G(u,v) and the like. The output of the two units are subtracted to obtain difference of Gaussian operators (DOG), a very important parameter in computer vision. Input data in the form of a 2-dimensional digital array representing image pixels from the image array is converted into analog form and is then convolved with a 1-dimensional Gaussian operator in a first direction and the result is clocked into a tapped analog delay line. The outputs of the analog tapped delay line are also convolved with another (normally identical) 1-dimensional Gaussian operator in a direction normal to the first direction. The results so obtained represents the convolution of the image with a 2-dimensional Gaussian operator in a channel.

Abstract: A stepping motor control system which uses a closed-loop lead angle control technique wherein a programmably selected lead angle signal is combined with a signal representing the position of a step motor shaft so as to provide a coil state excitation signal for the coils of the stepping motor, the shaft thereof being rotated in response to the coil state excitation signal. The lead angle signal can be modulated in accordance with a selected duty cycle so as to assume two adjacent lead angle values during each modulation cycle. The system can also be arranged to permit the use of open-loop control using a suitably programmed externally supplied coil state excitation signal, the latter being capable of similar modulation as described above with reference to lead angle modulation.