Programmable pipelined image processor

Abstract

A pipelined image processor selectively interconnects modules in a column of a two-dimensional array to modules of the next column of the array of modules 1,1 through M,N, where M is the number of modules in one dimension and N is the number of modules in the other direction. Each module includes two input selectors (10,11) for A and B inputs, two convolvers (12,13), a binary function operator (15), a neighborhood comparison operator (14) which produces an A output and an output selector (16) which may select as a B output the output of any one of the components in the module, including the A output of the neighborhood comparison operator. Each module may be connected to as many as eight modules in the next column, preferably with the majority always in a different row that is up (or down) in the array for a generally spiral data path around the torus thus formed. The binary function operator (15) is implemented as a look-up table (20) addressed by the most significant 8 bits of each 12-bit argument. The table output includes a function value and the slopes for interpolation of the two arguments by multiplying the 4 least significant bits in multipliers (21) and (22) and adding the products to the function value through adders (23) and (24).