Abstract: A charge multiplexed position sensing apparatus and method for measuring an incident radiation with the aid of an array of solid-state photosensitive detectors such as an array of avalanche photodiodes (APDs). The solid-state photosensitive detectors multiplex sum terminal(s) and a number of correspondent spatial terminals separately. Sum signal busses are provided to establish separate connections to the sum terminals of each solid-state photosensitive detector. Spatial signal busses interconnect correspondent spatial terminals of all of the solid-state photosensitive detectors such that correspondent spatial terminals are all connected to the same spatial signal bus. The multiplexing circuit triggers on electrical signals corresponding to sum or total voltages generated by the incident radiation.

Abstract: Measurement of a scanning optical system is to be carried out simply and easily. According to the invention, a scanning optical system measuring device for making adjustment of a scanning optical system which performs scanning with a light beam, includes: plural one-dimensional position detection devices provided at a distance from each other in a scanning direction of a light beam caused to perform scanning, and arranged to intersect the scanning direction of the light beam, and configured to output light receiving position of the light beam caused to perform scanning, as an analog signal; and a detection signal processing unit configured to detect scanning state of the light beam on the basis of a detection signal of the one-dimensional position detection devices.

Abstract: A light beam receiver includes a plurality of light beam detector elements, a plurality of integrator circuits that receive signals from the light beam detector elements, and a signal integral limiting integration time controller that is in communication with at least two of the integrator circuits so that an analysis of the light beam reception is determined. One embodiment provides a self-calibration function, using a plurality of light beam detector elements that generate output signals when receiving a light beam upon the light beam detector elements, an evaluation/control circuit that receives the output signals and is configured to substantially determine a position where the light beam impacts on the light beam detector elements, and at least one calibration light source that emits at least one light pulse that is coupled to the light beam detector elements. The light beam receiver performs a self-calibration function using the calibration light source.

Abstract: Systems and method for detecting and measuring light emitted from a sample and having a large dynamic range, e.g., a range of luminous intensity covering six or more orders of magnitude, that may be difficult to fully detect using a single detector with a limited detection range. Simultaneous measurement of the emitted light in two intensity ranges is performed using two detectors, e.g., one including a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and the other including a solid state detector such as a photodiode. A beam splitting element directs light emitted from a sample under investigation to both detectors simultaneously such that a portion of the light impinges on the first detector and a second portion of the light impinges on the second detector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of use for detecting the explosive detonation. The apparatus has a plurality of sensors consecutively arranged and spaced apart wherein each pair of consecutive light sensors defines a sensor pair. The sensors are sequentially activated by light produced by the detonation of explosive detonation and are inactivated by the absence of light. The sensors provide data that represents the amount of time that elapses between activation of a first light sensor in a sensor pair and activation of a second light sensor in the sensor pair and the length of time in which each sensor is activated. The data is processed to determine detonation velocity values and chemical reaction time values associated with material detonation and to provide an output signal that indicates whether the determined detonation velocity values and chemical reaction time values are valid.

Abstract: A description is given of a method for identifying interchangeable lenses (1) that can be connected with the aid of a locking apparatus (2) in a prescribed position to a support surface (9) on a camera of a camera system, wherein after the locking operation is performed a defined optical radiation is directed from two or more, preferably six light transmitters (18) arranged in the support surface (9) to reflecting or absorbing surfaces (8) on the locking apparatus (2) which are assigned to said light transmitters, the radiation returning from the respective reflecting/absorbing surfaces (8) is picked up by light receivers (19) arranged next to the light transmitters (18) in the support surface (9) and a binary coded signal for identifying the interchangeable lens (1) is formed from the output signals of the light receivers (19). Also described is an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A computer input device includes a light guide that illuminates a target area for imaging so as to permit tracking relative motion of a surface. The light guide also directs light to a window that is externally visible to a user of the device when the device rests upon a supporting surface. In one form, the light guide includes an entrance surface that receives light from a light source, together with two separated channels. The light guide directs a portion of the light incident upon the entrance surface through a first channel to the target area. The light guide further directs a portion of the incident light through a second channel so as to illuminate the window.

Abstract: A method of acquiring traveling characteristics of rear blades in a camera having an image sensing element including a plurality of pixels. The method comprising acquiring the traveling characteristics of the rear blades based on an image signal output from a preset partial area of the image sensing element, and storing the acquired traveling characteristics (S34, S36), shifting the partial area to a different position along the traveling direction of the rear blades (S38), and updating the traveling characteristics of the rear blades stored in the storage medium, based on an image signal output from the partial area shifted to the different position (S35, S36).

Abstract: A light detection device includes a lens array of a plurality of lenses arranged in the form of a honeycomb; and a photoelectric device array of a plurality of photoelectric devices for each of the plurality of lenses. The plurality of photoelectric devices is arranged under each of the plurality of lenses. Also disclosed are a focus detection device provided with the light detection device, and an imaging apparatus provided with the focus detection device as well as a method of producing such a light detection device and a method of detecting a focus.

Abstract: A silicon substrate is used as a substrate body of a wiring substrate and also, plural light receiving elements for outputting a detection signal according to illuminance of light at the time of receiving light applied from the outside, an amplification circuit element for amplifying the detection signal outputted by the light receiving elements, a changeover switch element for performing switching as to whether or not the light receiving element is electrically connected to the amplification circuit element, and a resistor and a capacitor electrically connected to the amplification circuit element are disposed on the wiring substrate.

Abstract: A multi-purpose efficient charge particle detector that by switching bias voltages measures either secondary ions, or secondary electrons (SE) from a sample, or secondary electrons that originate from back scattered electrons (SE3), is described. The basic version of the detector structure and two stripped down versions enable its use for the following detection combinations: The major version is for measuring secondary ions, or secondary electrons from the sample, or secondary electrons due to back-scattered electrons that hit parts other than the sample together or without secondary electrons from the sample. Measuring secondary ions or secondary electrons from the sample (no SE3). Measuring secondary electrons from the sample and/or secondary electrons resulting from back-scattered electrons hitting objects other than the sample (no ions).

Abstract: A fabrication method and a test method for a light emitting display that together produce a pixel portion of the display by fabricating pixel circuits, testing the pixel circuits, and subsequently fabricating light emitting diodes is disclosed.

Abstract: A configurable photo detector circuit includes a photo detector array having a plurality of photo detectors. A switching matrix includes a first plurality of inputs coupled to outputs of the plurality of photo detector, a second plurality of inputs, and a plurality of matrix outputs. A controller is coupled to the second plurality of inputs of the switching matrix for configuring the switching matrix. The controller is operable to receive programmed commands for configuring the switching matrix. An output block having a plurality of inputs is coupled to receive the plurality of matrix outputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein electrical signals from the plurality of photo detectors are directed to respective ones of the plurality of outputs based on the switching matrix.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an optical displacement sensor having a dense multi-axis array of photosensitive elements. Generally, the sensor includes a two dimensional array of multiple photosensitive elements. In one embodiment, the array includes multiple linear arrays of photosensitive elements arranged along three or more axes in a space-filling, close-packed multi-axis array. The photosensitive elements are connected to each other in such a way that motion is determinable along each of the axes by measuring differential photocurrents between photosensitive elements along each of the axes. The inventive architecture advantageously increases signal redundancy, and reduces signal drop-out or low signals due to random fluctuations in the incident or absorbed light or in the signals from the photosensitive elements.

Abstract: “Method and apparatus entraining interactive media players into a sustained experience of “Kinesthetic Spatial Sync,” defined as a perceived simultaneity and spatial superposition between a non-tactile, full body (“free-space”) input control process and immersive multisensory feedback. Asynchronous player input actions and (MIDI tempo) clock-synchronous media feedback events exhibit a seamless synesthesia1 or multisensory events fused into an integral event perception, this being between musical sound (hearing), visual responses (sight), and body kinesthetic (radial extension, angular position, height, speed, timing, and precision). This non-tactile interface process and multisensory feedback “look and feel” is embodied as an optimal ergonomic human interface for interactive music and as a six-degrees-of-freedom full-body-interactive immersive media controller.

Abstract: A design structure for designing, manufacturing, and/or testing a circuit for widening a dynamic range of sensor circuitry for sensing energy, such as light energy. The sensor circuitry includes a sensor and recharge circuitry for sharing additional charge with the sensor as needed during an integration period. Readout circuitry is provided to read out, after the integration period, the sense voltage remaining across the sensor and recharge information indicating whether the recharge circuitry shared charge with the sensor during the integration period. The sense voltage and recharge information read out of the sensor circuitry is used in a function to determine the total amount of energy sensed by the sensor during the integration period.

Abstract: A wavelength demultiplexer demultiplexes a wavelength multiplexed incident photon pulse string based on wavelengths of the photons in the photon pulse string. Each of a plurality of photon detectors detects a photon that is demultiplexed by the wavelength demultiplexer and outputs a signal based on detected photon, and a bias applying unit applies a gate pulse as a bias voltage to at least some of the photon detectors to match an incidence timing of an output light of the wavelength demultiplexer to the photon detectors. A data processor converts the signals from the photon detectors into time series signals.

Abstract: A modular sensor assembly and methods of fabricating a modular sensor assembly are provided. The modular sensor assembly includes a sensor array coupled to an electronics array in a stacked configuration. The sensor array comprises a plurality of sensor modules, each comprising a plurality of sensor sub-arrays. The electronics array comprises a plurality of integrated circuit modules, each comprising a plurality of integrated circuit chips. The sensor modules may be coupled to the electronics modules via flip chip technology.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an air-conditioning unit, in which the incident solar radiation is captured by means of at least three spatially arranged sensors, the calculation of the incident solar radiation is performed on the basis of a vector representation of the incident solar radiation. In this way a particularly simple calculation method can be implemented, which requires a particularly small calculation effort.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sun sensor assembly having an aperture that defines an area that is less than the area of the photo-detecting surface of a corresponding first photo-detector. According to another aspect, the present invention also includes a solar concentrator includes at least two sun sensor assemblies mounted on the concentrator in a manner to help the solar concentrator track the sun. According to another aspect, the present invention also includes a method of processing electrical signals from two or more photo-detectors. According to yet another aspect, the present invention includes a sun tracking system that includes a solar panel that includes a solar concentrator and control system.

Abstract: An exemplary Two-Dimensional Optical encoder (“2-D Encoder”) described herein includes a light emitter and a light detector array. The light detector array includes at least one band of light detectors arranged on at least one diagonal of an X-Y grid having an X-axis and a Y-axis, wherein the X-axis and Y-axis are approximately orthogonal.

Abstract: A fluidic structure includes a channel and along the channel is a series of sensing components to obtain information about objects traveling within the channel, such as droplets or other objects carried by fluid. At least one sensing component includes a set of cells of a photosensor array. The set of cells photosense a range of photon energies that emanate from objects, and include a subset of cells that photosense within subranges. A processor can receive information about objects from the sensing components and use it to obtain spectral information. The processor can perform an initial analysis using information from one set of sensing components and, based on the results, control a fluidic device in the channel, such as a gate, to retain objects, such as for concentration and more detailed analysis by other sensing components, or to purge objects from the channel.

Abstract: A linear position array detector system is provided which imparts light energy to a surface of a specimen, such as a semiconductor wafer, receives light energy from the specimen surface and monitors deviation of the retro or reflected beam from that expected to map the contours on the specimen surface. The retro beam will, with ideal optical alignment, return along the same path as the incident beam if and only if the surface is normal to the beam. The system has a measurement device or sensor within the path of the retro or reflected beam to measure deviation of the retro beam from expected. The sensor is preferably a multiple element array of detector-diodes aligned in a linear fashion. A unique weighting and summing scheme is provided which increases the mechanical dynamic range while preserving sensitivity.

Abstract: An output current from each pixel sensor can be extracted at an arbitrary ratio by a current divider. An arithmetic control unit sets the dividing ratio in correspondence to a color matching function. The current components are added together by a summing amplifier so that a signal corresponding to a tristimulus value is composed and then converted into a digital signal. That is, weighting by weight factors corresponding to color matching functions of CIE 2-degree observer is performed in a stage of analog signal processing.

Abstract: A photoelectric transducer has an optical waveguide and a photoelectric transducer element array of photoelectric transducer elements optically coupled to the optical waveguide. The photoelectric transducer element array has a common conductive layer, and the photoelectric transducer elements are mounted on the common conductive layer in alignment with entrance or exit ends of the optical waveguide. The photoelectric transducer elements having respective first poles, and the photoelectric transducer element array has a second pole disposed in opposite relation to the first poles and connected as a reference potential setting electrode through the common conductive layer to at least two of the photoelectric transducer elements.

Abstract: A laparoscopic tumor therapy method and an articulated electron beam transport system are provided for use with a high power, long focus electron source for tumor therapy. The high power, long focus electron source generates an e-beam. The e-beam is transported through a laparoscopic tube proximate a target tumor for electron irradiation therapy.

Abstract: A beam catcher (1) for a light beam (2) pulsating in amplitude at a modulation frequency (f) with a photodetector (4) with a plurality of photosensors (6) which are offset in a spatially defined manner relative to a reference point (5), an evaluating circuit (7), and an output device (8). A phase shifter (10) that is sensitive to the modulation frequency (f) is arranged between at least two photosensors (6).

Abstract: A laser beam detection and tracking system includes a focal plane array sensor providing pixel data and a field programmable gate array controller receiving the pixel data for determining a centroid of the illuminating spot of the impinging laser beam and for determining variably sized windows of interest disposed around the spot for selecting a subset of pixels of the array for communicating a subset of the pixel of a window frame of data from the array to the controller for increasing the array frame rate for reducing laser jitter during tracking of the beam for improved beam tracking performance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a photosensor array, some cells of which are reference cells that photosense throughout an application's energy range, while other cells of which are subrange cells that photosense within respective subranges. For example, the subrange cells can receive photons in their respective subranges from a transmission structure that has laterally varying properties, such as due to varying optical thickness. The reference cells may be uncoated or may also receive photons through a transmission structure such as a gray filter. Subrange cells and reference cells may be paired in adjacent lines across the array, such as rows. Where photon emanation can vary along a path, quantities of incident photons photosensed by subrange cells along the path can be adjusted based on quantities photosensed by their paired reference cells, such as with normalization.

Abstract: To provide a close contact type sensor promoting a light utilizing efficiency, there is provided a close contact type sensor featured in that in a close contact type sensor having a sensor circuit portion and an irradiation window portion, a plurality of the irradiation windows are arranged and positions and sizes of the irradiation windows are matched to positions and sizes of opening portions of LCD utilized as a light source.

Abstract: A photocell system includes a current control circuit that provides an offset voltage. Each photocell in a photocell array includes an opto-electrical converter receives the offset voltage such that the opto-electrical converter establishes a DC operating point. In one embodiment, each photocell includes the current control circuit. In an alternate embodiment, a single current control circuit provides the offset voltage for the entire photocell array.

Abstract: A plurality of optical sensing elements in an array where each element has a unique element address identifying the element location. Each element senses light and produces an element address signal in proportion to the intensity of the light sensed by the element. The element address signal corresponding to the highest intensity sensed by the array is asserted as an array output signal.

Abstract: An encoder that can detect the presence of noise occurring within the encoder. The encoder is constructed by incorporating within the same apparatus: a movement detecting unit for detecting the movement of a moving body; a signal processing circuit for processing a movement detection signal supplied from the movement detecting unit, and thereby producing an encoder signal representing the position and/or the amount of displacement of the moving body; and a noise detecting unit for detecting noise superimposed on the movement detection signal. According to this encoder, a noise voltage generated within the encoder via a stray capacitance is detected within the encoder and is output as noise data, so that the noise level can be detected without requiring the use of an external measuring device. Further, by outputting encoder data and noise data occurring at the same instant in time, the reliability of the encoder data can be judged based on the condition of the noise level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting electromagnetic waves, especially for also detecting the phase and amplitude of electromagnetic waves, using elements that react sensitively to incident electromagnetic waves. The aim of the invention is to provide a method and a device for detecting the phase and amplitude of electromagnetic waves that are economical as possible and also allow relatively high resolution. To this end, the invention provides that the device has two different pixel types, one pixel type being essentially only sensitive to intensity and the other pixel type being essentially only sensitive to phase. Accordingly, two different pixel types are used in the method, one of which reacts essentially to the intensity of the incoming electromagnetic waves, while the other pixel type is phase-sensitive.

Abstract: An assembly is provided that may be used in high data rate optical communications, such as free-space communication systems. The assembly may include a main optical receiver element and a lenslet array or other optical element disposed near the focal plane that collects an optical signal and focuses that signal as a series of optical signal portions onto a photodetector array, formed of a series of InGaAs photodiodes, for example. The electrical signals from the photodetectors may be amplified using high bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers connected to a summing amplifier or circuit that produces a summed electrical signal. Alternatively, the electrical signals may be summed initially and then amplified via a transimpedance amplifier. The assembly may be used in remote optical communication systems, including free-space laser communication environments, to convert optical signals up to or above 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates into electrical signals at 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates.

Abstract: A laser beam receiver with non-interdigitated photosensors arranged in a repeating pattern of “n” channels of photosensors in each of “m” sectors is disclosed. The photocurrent from both the anode and cathode terminals of the photosensor is used to determine laser beam position. The repeating patterns connect one set of “n” channel amplifier channels with the corresponding set of “m” sector amplifier channels. The position of the laser beam is determined by its position relative to the sector and channel the laser beam impinges on. The laser beam position relative to sector boundaries is determined by the distribution of photosensor current into the “n” channels of amplifiers from the “n” photosensors within each sector. The sector of the photosensor the laser beam impinges on is determined by the distribution of photosensor current into the “m” channels of sector amplifiers from the “m” groups of “n” photosensors.

Abstract: A laser receiver detects a thin beam of laser light and distinguishes between the beam of laser light and an omni-directional pulse of light from a strobe by the use of an additional photo-detector. The device takes into account the possibility that the additional photo-detector could be illuminated simultaneously with the main photo-detectors at the end of the main photo-detectors closest to the additional photo-detector.

Abstract: An optical wireless local area network using line of sight optical links. The base station and terminal stations are provided with optical transceivers which include a transmitter array and detector array. The transmitter array consists of an array of resonant cavity light emitting diodes integrated using flip-chip technology with a CMOS driver circuit. The driver circuit includes constant bias, current peaking and charge extraction. The driver circuitry is compact and can be confined within a region underlying the corresponding light source. The detector array consists of an array of photo diodes, provided with sense circuitry consisting of a pre-amplifier and post-amplifier. The diodes and sense circuitry are also integrated using a flip-chip technique. The light emitter and the detector may include adaptive optical elements to steer and/or focus the light beams.

Abstract: A semiconductor photosensor device includes a plurality of photodiode sections, a switch, and an output section is provided. The plurality of photodiode sections have different illuminance-output characteristics. The switch selects any one of the plurality of photodiodes sections on the basis of an illuminance of incident light irradiated on the photodiode sections. The output section outputs an signal from the selected photodiode section through the switch.

Abstract: A light sensing panel includes a scan line transmitting a scan signal, a power source line transmitting a bias voltage, a readout line transmitting a light sensing signal and a light sensing device. The light sensing device includes a control electrode that is electrically connected to the scan line to receive the scan signal, a first current electrode that is electrically connected to the power source line to receive the bias voltage, and a second current electrode that is electrically connected to the readout line to apply a light sensing signal to the readout line when the light sensing signal senses an external light. The light sensing panel requires only one thin film transistor in order to detect a position wherein the external light is incident. Therefore, electrical coupling between devices is reduced and aperture ratio is increased, thereby enhancing a display quality.

Abstract: A light source die of an optical input device is mounted on a detecting die of the optical input device in order to reduce the size of the optical input device. The light source die emits light to a reflective surface, and light sensing elements formed on the detecting die sense the reflected light from the reflective surface. A control circuit of the optical input device generates corresponding navigation signals according to the output signals of the light sensing elements.

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided corresponding to a scanning line and a reading line. The optical sensor includes a light-receiving element, a current flowing between both terminals thereof being changed according to the amount of incident light and a transistor whose gate is connected to one end of the light-receiving element, one of a source and a drain being connected to the scanning line and the other being connected to the reading line. In an initialization period in which the scanning line is selected, a predetermined initialization voltage is applied to the gate and, after the application of the initialization voltage ends, a result according to the amount of received light is output based on a voltage on the reading line.

Abstract: In a data line driver for driving data lines of a display apparatus including a data register adapted to sequentially latch video data signals in synchronization with latch signals, a data latch circuit adapted to latch all the sequential video data signals latched in the data register in synchronization with a strobe signal to generate digital output signals, a digital/analog converter adapted to convert the digital output signals of the data latch circuit into analog signals, and an output buffer adapted to apply the analog signals of the digital/analog converter to the data lines, the data latch circuit has a reset terminal adapted to receive a reset signal, so that the digital output signals of the data latch circuit are reset by the reset signal to fixed gradation data regardless of the strobe signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of calculating the local contrast at each pixel (PC) in a network (Mp) of photosensitive pixels which are arranged in at least one dimension (x, y). The inventive method consists in, during successive image acquisition cycles, producing a signal which is representative of the local luminance at each pixel, said luminance-representative signals being integrated values of luminance values sensed by the respective pixels (pC, pG, pD, pH, pB). The inventive method consists in: sampling the integrated values of the signals representing the luminance values at the pixels adjacent (pG, pD, pH, pB) to a considered pixel (pC), said sampling taking place at an instant in the cycle when the integrated value of the luminance at the considered pixel (pC) is equal to a pre-determined reference value; and determining the local contrast at the considered pixel (pC) on the basis of values thus sampled.

Abstract: A quadrant detector includes a holographic optical element and a plurality of detector elements. The holographic optical element is designated to have four quadrants, each of which directs radiation incident thereon to an associated detector element. Signals from the detector elements are processed individually to optimise the performance of each detector element.

Abstract: A measurement sensor comprising a PSD (30) as an optoelectronic receiver, a transmitter (10, 12) for generating spots (22, 26), optics (14, 32) for reproducing the spots (22?, 26?) on the PSD (30) and means (44, 46, 48, 50, 52) for processing output signals (I1, I2) generated by said PSD (30) and for controlling the transmitter (10, 12) depending on the processed output signals (I1, I2) in order to measure the distance between the target (24) and the sensor by a triangulation technique is disclose closed. The transmitter comprises at least two optoelectronic signal sources (10, 12) for projecting at least two spots (22, 26) independent from each other on a target (24), the means (44, 46, 48, 50, 52) comprising a digitally controlled potentiometer (48) for balancing the output signals (I1, I2) and a digital processor (52) adapted for controlling the potentiometer (48).

Abstract: The first opening 31 and second opening 32 are formed in the rotating plate 3 attached to the rotation axis 2 of an absolute encoder 1 in a prescribed positional relation, and a two-dimensional profile sensor 5 is installed so as to face the lower side 3a of the rotating plate 3. Also, a light supplying unit 4 consisting of light sources 41 and 42 is installed so as to face the photosensitive area of the profile sensor 5 with the openings 31 and 32 of the rotating plate 3 placed therebetween. And, based on a correlation between the first detected position P1 and second detected position P2 where measuring light emitted from the light sources 41 and 42 is passed through the openings 31 and 32 of the rotating plate 3 and is detected by the profile sensor 5, an absolute value of the rotating angle of the rotation axis 2 is calculated, wherein it is possible to achieve an absolute encoder capable of accurately measuring the absolute value of the rotating angle of the rotation axis with a simple construction.

Abstract: A computer input device includes a light guide that illuminates a target area for imaging so as to permit tracking relative motion of a surface. The light guide also directs light to a window that is externally visible to a user of the device when the device rests upon a supporting surface. In one form, the light guide includes an entrance surface that receives light from a light source, together with two separated channels. The light guide directs a portion of the light incident upon the entrance surface through a first channel to the target area. The light guide further directs a portion of the incident light through a second channel so as to illuminate the window.

Abstract: A sensor device is provided for generating an electrical output signal in dependence on the position of a light source in relation to the sensor device. The sensor device has a three-dimensional switch carrier with several adjacent faces oriented in different directions, on which faces at least two sensors are arranged. On the two sides of a central face, there is arranged in each case a face, with an infrared light (IR) photodetector in each case, oriented at an angle to the central face, whereby the faces on which the IR photodetectors are arranged are not directly adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device, having a plurality of processing elements accommodated on a single semiconductor chip, has a latch circuit and a selecting circuit. The latch circuit is provided at an output of each of the processing elements. The selecting circuit selects an input source from a group consisting of upper, lower, left, and right processing elements and a zero signal.