Concept, development, mass production, and applications of artificial retina chips

We have proposed a novel type of image sensor named artificial retina LSIs (AR LSls) which combine both functions of image sensing and image processing, similar to our human eyes. The operation principle is based on the optoelectronic vector/matrix multiplier, where the input image is corresponding to the matrix, and the electric control signal to the vector. The functions of the image processing include simple image capturing, edge extraction, 2D to 1D image projection, random access, resolution control and so on. These functions can be selected just by changing the pattern of the electric control signal. The optoelectronic multiplier operates in a semi-parallel and an analog mode. We have developed four kinds of AR LSls based on the CMOS technology