A VLSI-processor for the generation of the hierarchical structure code in real time

The hierarchical structure code (HSC) is a data structure encoding all the structural information of images at different levels of resolution. Continuity between neighboring edge elements, line elements, and region elements is verified by a hierarchical linking procedure mapping continuous structures onto code-trees. This HSC data structure allows top down analysis and proved to be very helpful in traffic scene analysis. The HSC data structure is exclusively generated by local operations. Accordingly, the authors could successfully map the encoding procedure onto a special VLSI chip controlled by a set of programmable gate arrays. The chip is based on a sea-of-gates template, the IMS Gate Forest, and a semicustom cell-library and works at a speed of 12.5 frames/sec of 513/sup 2/ images.