Light modulation device and image recognition method

Abstract: The specific features of an input image can be extracted quickly and accurately using a light modulation device comprising a first transparent electrode layer, a photoconductive layer, a conductive electrode, a light modulation layer, and a second transparent electrode layer formed together in the preceding order, and characterized by the light modulation characteristic of the light modulation layer being a non-linear saturation function of an applied electrical field, and the conductive electrode comprising plural electrode patterns. The light modulation layer modulates the read light when the input light exceeds a specific threshold value. By forming the electrode pattern of the conductive electrode in the shape of the pattern to be extracted, the features of the input image corresponding to that shape can be quickly extracted.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a light modulation device used for optical information processing, and to an image recognition method for processing images using a neural network constructed to simulate the information processing mechanism of the human brain. Information processing devices on the basis of neural networks have been studied in recent years, and the optical neural network in particular has been developed as an effective means of high speed processing of two-dimensional image data (M. Ishikawa, et al., Applied Optics, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 289 - 295 (1990)). The optical neural network uses an optical signal as the data medium due to its high speed transmission capability and spatial parallelism properties. The spatial light modulation device is a key component to the construction of an optical neural network. Fig. 24 is a cross section of a conventional spatial light modulation device 1 comprising a transparent electrode 2, a photoconductive layer 3, a light reflecting layer 4, a light modulation layer 5, and a second transparent electrode 2' formed together in that order and sandwiched between a substrate 6 and 6' on each side. This device operates as follows. When an input light 7 with a two-dimensional distribution of light intensity is given to the photoconductive layer 3, carrier corresponding to the light distribution are produced and the electrical resistance of the area in which the light is given in the photoconductive layer 3 drops. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 2 and 2', and the voltage applied to the light modulation layer 5 increases at the area corresponding to the area in which the electrical resistance dropped in the photoconductive layer 3. Thus the read light 8 is spatially modulated according to the light distribution of the input light 7. The light reflecting layer 4 is simply provided to efficiently reflect the read light 8. US-A-4 693 561 defining the closest prior art from which the invention proceeds discloses an amorphous silicon spatial light modulation including a unique three electrode structure which is used to create a two-dimensional electric field distribution in liquid crystal material. This conventional modulator allows for the use of very thin photoconductor layers and a middle electrode in the form of a grating structure to provide control of the field shape while also providing for high spatial resolution. Accurately and quickly extracting features peculiar to the image is essential to improving the recognition performance of an optical neural network. However, the conventional spatial light modulation device simply functions as an image input device and does nothing more than execute simple logic operations such as digitization resulting from the light modulation characteristics of the light modulation layer. It is impossible for these devices to extract the specific features of the image. Furthermore, extracting the specific features of the input image requires the input image to be photoelectrically converted and stored in an image memory for feature extraction processing by an electronic computer. This process is time-consuming and processing time will-incerease when matrix of the image is increase. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a light modulation device with simple structure for extracting the specific features of the input image in high speed. A further object of the invention is to provide an image recognition method which is on the basis of a neural network using features extracted by this light modulation device. To achieve this object, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a light modulation device comprising a first transparent electrode, a photoconductive layer formed on the first transparent electrode, a light modulation layer formed on the photoconductive layer, a second transparent electrode formed on the light modulation layer, a plurality of electrodes formed between the photoconductive layer and light modulation layer, and means for applying a potential between the transparent electrodes insufficient to actuate the light modulation layer without activation of the photoconductive layer, characterized in that the electrodes in said plurality of electrodes are electrically insulated from each other, aligned in different directions and arranged to define segments including plural pixels in an input image area of the device, an electrode holding a respective segment at a potential exceeding the light modulation layer threshold voltage responsive to activation of the respective segment of the photoconductive layer to modulate read light, and there is further provided an image recognition method using such a light modulation device, comprising the steps of extracting line information and geometric shapes corresponding to the segments, processing the line information and geometric shapes on a neural network, and recognizing the image formed thereby. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the sub-claims. In the above construction there is preferably provided an insulating layer where the electrode patterns overlap. In addition, it is preferable in the above construction that the conductive electrode be a combination of plural parallel electrode patterns of which the long directions are formed parallel to each other or intersecting-at 45° or 90°. In addition, it is preferable in the above construction that the photoconductive layer and the conductive electrode have the same two-dimensional distribution pattern. In addition, it is preferable in the above construction that the light modulation layer and the conductive electrode have the same two-dimensional distribution pattern. In addition, it is preferable in the above construction that the conductive electrodes have optical reflectivity. In addition, it is preferable in the above construction that electrode patterns of identical shape be placed in a two-dimensional matrix, and be electrically connected to each other. In addition, it is preferable in the above construction that the electrically connected electrode patterns be of equal area. In addition, it is preferable in the above construction that a shield layer for blocking incident light to the photoconductive layer be provided between the first transparent electrode and the photoconductive layer at those areas where there is no conductive electrode. The light modulation device of the present invention is constructed with facing transparent electrodes sandwiching the photoconductive layer and the light modulation layer, and the conductive electrodes formed between the photoconductive layer and the light modulation layer comprise plural electrode patterns which are continual only in a specific direction. The principle of operation is described below. (1) When light is not given to the photoconductive layer, the electrical resistance of the photoconductive layer considerably is higher than that of the light modulation layer. A voltage applied between the transparent electrodes is therefore applied primarily to the photoconductive layer, and the electrical field applied to the light modulation layer is low. The read light is therefor not modulated. (2) When light is given to the photoconductive layer, carriers corresponding to the light distribution are generated, the electrical resistance of the photoconductive layer drops, and the strength of the field applied to the light modulation layer increases in accordance with the laws of voltage distribution. The higher the input light intensity becomes, the lower the electrical resistance of the photoconductive layer becomes. However, because the light modulation layer has modulation characteristic of a non-linear saturation function against the applied field strength, the light modulation layer can modulate the read light only when the applied field strength exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The modulation layer is applied some voltage where the electrode pattern is present. Since, the modulation layer can modulate read light only when its corresponding photoconductive layer is illuminated by the light which total intensity exceeds threshold value. What this means is that the features of the input image corresponding to the shapes of the electrode patterns can be extracted. Thus, by forming the conductive electrode shaped like the patterns to be extracted, the specific features of the input image can be extracted at high speed. When the conductive electrode comprises plural parallel electrode patterns, the line segments parallel to the lengthwise direction of the electrode pattern will correspond to specific image features, and if the line segments of a length that is at least long enough to satisfy the threshold value of light modulation is in the image, the read light corresponding to that part will be modulated and the corresponding line segments can be extracted. Furthermore, the image features that can be extracted are not limited to line segments. By giving the electrode pattern a circular, polygonal, or even nebulous shape, image features that correspond to that shape can also be extracted. In addition, short circuiting of the electrode patterns can be prevented by providing an insulation layer where the electrode patterns overlap at intersections. In particular, vertical, horizontal, left-oblique ("/'), right-oblique ("\') line segments can be extracted as specific image features if the conductive electrodes comprise plural parallel electrode patterns, and the lengthwise directions of the electrode patterns are parallel to each other or intersect at 45° or 90°. Furthermore, the carrier crosetalk can be prevented if the photoconductive layer and the conductive electrode are formed with the same two-dimensional distribution pattern. Furthermore, the modulation contrast of the read light can be improved if the light modulation layer and the conductive electrode are formed with the same two-dimensional distribution pattern. Furthermore, the detection contrast of the output image can be improved if a shield layer for blocking incident light is provided between the first transparent electrode and the photoconductive layer at those areas where there is no conductive electrode. Furthermore, the detection sensitivity can be increased if the conductive electrode has optical reflectivity because part of the input light passing through the photoconductive layer will be reflected by the conductive electrode and enter the photoconductive layer again. In addition, the light utilization efficiency of the read light can be increased because the read light that passed the light modulation layer will be reflected by the conductive electrode and enter the light modulation layer again. In addition, the input image can then be broken down into the pixel units of an n x m matrix for image processing (where n and m are natural numbers) if electrode patterns of identical shape are periodically placed in a two-dimensional matrix. Furthermore, patterns of the desired shape can be easily designed if these periodically placed electrodes are electrically connected to each other. In addition, many kinds of geometric patterns can be extracted with a single threshold value characteristic if the electrically connected electrode patterns are of equal area. Furthermore, the image recognition method of the invention greatly improves the image recognition capability of an optical neural network using the above light modulation device by extracting line segments and geometric shapes included in the image as specific image features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying diagrams wherein: Fig. 1 is a plane figure of a light modulation device according to related art, Fig. 2 is a cross section of the light modulation device at line A - A' in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 (a) shows an example of the input image to the light modulation device of the invention, Fig. 3 (b) illustrates the input method to the light modulation device of the invention, Fig. 3 (c) illustrates the output result of the light modulation device of the invention, Fig. 4 is a plane figure of an embodiment of a light modulation device according to the present invention, Fig. 5 illustrates the output result of the light modulation device of the invention, Fig. 6 (a) is a plane figure of the plural parallel electrode patterns in a light modulation device according to the present invention, Fig. 6 (b) is a plane figure of the electrode pattern with extracted line components, Fig. 7 is a plane figure of the light modulation device according to related art, Fig. 8 is a cross section of the light modulation device at line B - B' in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 illustrates the output result of the light modulation device, Fig. 10 is a conceptual illustration of the neural network model used in the image recognition method according to the present invention, Fig. 11 is a plane figure of the light modulation device used in the neural network model used by the image recognition method of the present invention, Fig. 12 illustrates the output result of image recognition using the image recognition method of the present invention, Fig. 13 illustrates some character patterns recognized by the image recognition method of the present invention, 14 Fig. 14 is a plane figure of the light modulation device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 15 is a cross section of the light modulation device at line C - C' in Fig. 14, Fig. 16 shows an example of the input image to the light modulation device of the invention, Fig. 17 illustrates the output result of the light modulation device of the invention, Fig. 18 is a plane figure of the light modulation device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 19 is a detailed plane figure of area 46 in Fig. 18 for an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 20 is a detailed plane figure of area 47 in Fig. 18 for an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 21 is a detailed plane figure of area 48 in Fig. 18 for an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 22 is a detailed plane figure of area 49 in Fig. 18 for an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 23 is a graph of one example of the light modulation characteristics of the light modulation device according to the present invention, and Fig. 24 is a cross section of a conventional light modulation device. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a light modulation device according to related art and the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. First embodiment Fig. 1 is a plane figure of the first embodiment of a light modulation device according to related art, and Fig. 2 is a cross section of the light modulation device at line A - A' in Fig. 1. This light modulation device 1 comprises a transparent electrode 2, a photoconductive layer 3, a conductive electrode 9, a light modulation layer 5, and a second transparent electrode 2' formed together in that order and sandwiched between a substrate 6 and 6'-on each side. The substrates 6 and 6' are formed of a material with good transmission characteristics to the input light 7 and the read light 8. A quartz substrate is used in this embodiment by way of example. Similarly, the transparent electrodes 2 and 2' are formed of ITO in this embodiment by way of example. The photoconductive layer 3 is preferably of a material which shows a drop in electrical resistance, i.e., an increase in electrical conductivity, when exposed to light. The photoconductive layer 3 is a 1 µm thick layer of amorphous silicon in this embodiment. The relationship between the light intensity I given to the amorphous silicon and the electrical conductivity a is expressed by equation 1 σ ∼ I γ where the electrical conductivity σ is proportional to the constant γ power of the incident light intensity I. To obtain the precise sum of the incident light intensity, constant γ is preferably approximately equal to 1. The light modulation layer 5 performs a digitization function of the applied electrical field, and comprises, for example, ferroelectric liquid crystals sandwiched between alignment films. To extract vertical line segments in the input image, the conductive electrode -9 is formed by, for example, Al this film (∼2000Å) made by vapor deposition. The long side of the electrodes are designed to parallel to the vertical direction as shown in Fig. 1. When the input light 7 is not given to the light modulation device 1, the electrical resistance of the photoconductive layer 3 is high compared with that of the light modulation layer 5. Therefore the voltage applied to the transparent electrodes 2 and 2' of the light modulation device 1 is applied primarily to the photoconductive layer 3. When light is given to the photoconductive layer 3, the electrical conductivity a increases (the electrical resistance decreases) according to the incident light intensity I, and the field strength applied to the light modulation layer increases in accordance with the laws of voltage distribution. To modulate the read light 8 given to the modulation layer 5 where the conductive electrode 9 is present, the sum of the incident light intensity to that part of the photoconductive layer 3 must exceed a predetermined threshold value. This is because the conductive electrode 9 is formed between the photoconductive layer 3 and the light modulation layer 5 in this light modulation device 1, and areas in which the conductive electrode 9 is present become the same potential. In other words, if the vertical line segments in the input image are longer than a specific length, the read light 8 given to that part will be modulated. It is preferable for the conductive electrode 9 to be formed by vapor deposition of a metal such as aluminum to have high optical reflectivity. Therefore, if the sum of the input light to the photoconductive layer 3 where the conductive electrode 9 is also present exceeds a specific threshold value, the read light 8 can be modulated and output as reflected light. Line segment information in the input image can thus be obtained by focusing on that part of the read light 8 corresponding to the position of the conductive electrode 9. Fig. 23 is a graph of the light modulation characteristics of the light modulation device 1. It is to be noted that the threshold valve can be adjusted by changing the offset voltage of the applising voltage to the light modulation device 1. Input of a letter image to the light modulation device 1 is described below with reference to Fig. 3. In this example the letter "A" represented by an 8 x 8 pixel matrix is used. The letter shown in Fig. 3 (a) is first given to the light modulation device 1 comprising a pattern of eight parallel electrodes as shown in Fig. 3 (b). The electrodes which can modulate read light 8 are shaded ones 12 shown in Fig. 3(c). Because it is possible to adjust threshold value of the device so as to modulate only when the long vertical line segment is in Fig. 3(a) is included in a images. Thus, the vertical line segments included in the letter image can be extracted as image features. Second embodiment Fig. 4 is a plane figure of an embodiment of a light modulation device according to the present invention. This embodiment is basically constructed in the same way as the embodiment above. It differs in that the conductive electrode 9 comprises plural vertically continuous 14 and horizontally continuous electrode patterns 15. In addition, these patterns are electrically insulated by an insulation layer provided where the two patterns intersect 16. The light modulation device 1 according to this embodiment is divided into 64 regions indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 4. It is adjusted applied bias voltage so as to modulate read light only when the light is given to at least two adjacent regions. It is therefore possible for the electrode pattern indicated by the shaded areas 17 in Fig. 5 to modulate the read light when, for example, the letter "A" shown in Fig. 3 (a). Thus, line segments in each direction can be separately extracted by the different electrode patterns because the electrodes with different directions are electrically insulated from each other. Third embodiment Described next is an alternative embodiment of the light modulation device in which the conductive electrode 9 is a combination of plural parallel electrode patterns of which the long directions are formed parallel to each other or intersecting at 45° or 90°. Fig. 6 (a) is a plane figure of the light modulation device. The plural parallel electrode patterns 28 intersect with each other at 90 or diagonally 45° right or left. Note also that the electrode patterns 28 are electrically insulated from each other where the patterns overlap. Line segments of four directions in the input image can be separately extracted with this light modulation device. For example, when the letter "A" shown in Fig. 3 (a) is given to the light modulation device 1, the light modulation layer 5 operates only at those parts of the electrode patterns 29 enclosed by a broken line in Fig. 6 (b). Thus, line segments in each of these directions included in the input image can be extracted as image features. Fourth embodiment Fig. 7 is a plane figure of the light modulation device according to related art, and Fig. 8 is a cross section of the light modulation device at line B - B' in Fig. 7. The light modulation device 1 according to this embodiment is similar to the previous embodiments, comprising a transparent electrode 2, a photoconductive layer 3, a conductive electrode 9, a light modulation layer 5, and a second transparent electrode 2' formed together in that order and sandwiched between a substrate 6 and 6' on each side. It differs, however, in that the photoconductive layer 3 and the light modulation layer 5 have the same two-dimensional pattern distribution as the conductive electrode 9, and a transparent insulation layer 21 is provided at the discontinuous parts of the photoconductive layer 3 and light modulation layer 5. The light modulation layer 5 exhibits a digitization function against the applied field, and consists, for example, of ferroelectric crystals with alignment layer. The basic operation is also as same as that of the first and second embodiments: the light modulation layer 5 can modulate read light only when the sum of light-intensity given to its corresponding photoconductive layer 3 exceeds a threshold value. For example, when the letter "A" shown in Fig. 3 (a) is given to the light modulation device 1, the light modulation layer 5 operates only at those parts indicated by the shaded areas 22 in Fig. 9. Thus, vertical line segments included in the input image can be extracted as image features. It is to be noted that by providing four light modulation devices (a first light modulation device with plural vertically long electrodes, a second light modulation device with plural horizontally long electrodes, a third light modulation device with plural electrodes leaned to the left at 45° from the vertical electrodes of the first light modulation device, and a fourth light modulation device with plural electrodes leaned to the right at 45° from the vertical electrode of the first light modulation device), overlapping in a cascaded manner, and giving image from the photoconductive layer side of the first light modulation device, four kinds of line segments included in the input image can be extracted as image features. Fifth embodiment An image recognition method according to the present invention is described next. It processes an input image by means of a neural network which uses an information of the line segments extracted from the input image by the light modulation device. Fig. 10 is a conceptual illustration of the neural network model used in the image recognition method according to the present invention. This model has four two-dimensional neuron layers, the neurons performing the same input/output operation as the nerve cells of the human brain. This neural network model recognizes an image by extracting four kinds of line segments (vertical, horizontal, and right- and left-descending slope), and by integrating these lines so as to extract information about the existing position or degree (length) of those lines. As a result, for example, this neural network model can recognize hand-written characters. The detail operation of this neural network is described next. The input layer 30 is an 8 x 8 two-dimensional array of neurons, and 8 x 8 bit image as shown in Fig. 3 (a) is given. The second layer 31 is subdivided into four regions 32 - 35, each of which is a two-dimensional array of 8 x 8 elements, and thus comprises 256 neurons in a 16 x 16 matrix. Each of the regions 32 - 35 in the second layer is connected to the neurons of the input layer 30 in a specific way corresponding to line segments of a specific direction in the input image. For example, each single neuron in region 32 is connected to the neuron in the same corresponding position in the input layer 30 and to the two adjacent neurons above and below. A neuron in region 32 can fire only when a vatical line segmetns is included in its correspond position of input image. Thus region 32 extracts vertical line segments in the input image. Similarly, the neurons of region 33 are connected to the neuron in the same corresponding position in the input layer 30 and to the two adjacent neurons on the right and left sides, the neurons of region 34 are connected to the corresponding neuron and to the neurons diagonally adjacent on a left-descending slope, and the neurons-in the bottom right region 35 are connected to the corresponding neuron and to the neurons diagonally adjacent on a right-descending slope. In addition, each of the regions (32 - 35) of the second layer 31 is divided into nine subregions. These subregions are equivalent to dividing the two-dimensional input bit image into nine parts. In addition, all neurons in each subregion are connected to the same single neuron in the third layer 36. A neuron in the third layer 36 can fire only when its connected neurons in the subregion of the second layer 31 is fining. Therefore, the direction and existing position of the line segments acts or a neuron in the third layer 36 depends upon its connecting subregion in the second layer 31. In other words, the output state of each neuron in the third layer 36 indicates the direction, existing position, and length of the corresponding line segments in the two-dimensional bit image given to the neural network. Each of the neurons in the third layer 36 is connected to all of the neurons in the fourth layer 37. The sum of the input signals to each neuron in the fourth layer 37 is obtained, and only one neuron with the largest value can fire. For example, to recognize the 26 alphabet letters, the fourth layer 37 comprises 26 neurons, and each corresponds to a certain letter. The letter corresponding to the fired neuron is therefore the result of the recognition. The synaptic weight between third and fourth layer are trained using an orthogonal learning method, and all other synaptic weight are fixed positions constant value. Fig. 11 is a plane figure of the light modulation device which extracts four kinds of line segments of the input image, and corresponds to the second layer in the above neural network model. The structure of this light modulation device is the same as that of the first embodiment above, and comprises a transparent electrode 2, a photoconductive layer 3, a conductive electrode 9, a light modulation layer 5, and a second transparent electrode 2' formed together in that order and sandwiched between a substrate 6 and 6' on each side. The electrode pattern 38 consists of two unit electrodes 39 which are electrically connected. An amorphous silicon is used for the photoconductive layer 3, and ferroelectric crystals for the light modulation layer 5. As in the first embodiment, the light modulation layer 5 modulates the read light 8 only at those parts where its corresponding photoconductive layer 3 is illuminated by sufficient light (exceed threshold volue). The modulated read light 8 is then reflected by the conductive electrode 38. As shown in Fig. 11, the light modulation device can thus be divided into a total 64 areas in an 8 x 8 matrix. Each area corresponds to one region of the input character pattern, for example the letter "A" shown in Fig. 3 (a). It is assumed that the letter "A" shown in Fig. 3 (a) is given to the light modulation device. This character pattern is displayed on the transparent liquid crystals display, for example, and the shaded areas 11 in Fig. 3 (a) pass light through. The threshold value  of the modulation device is adjusted to satisfy the following equation: I x S <  < 2 x I x S where I denotes light energy per unit area of light passing area 11, and S is the area of the unit electrode 39 of the light modulation device shown in Fig. 11. In other words, it is necessary for the light modulation device in Fig. 11 to modulate the read light, that both two electrically connected unit electrodes 39 are illuminated by the light. For example, for a unit electrode connected vertically across adjacent regions to modulate, light must be given to two vertically adjacent areas. The same is true for horizontally and diagonally connected electrodes. Therefore, when a character pattern such as that shown in Fig. 3 (a) is given, the light modulation layer will only modulate the read light 8 at the shaded electrode 40 in Fig. 12. Thus, by paying attention to the electrode of each area of the light modulation device, it can be determined which line segment is included in the input pattern. For example, because only the unit electrodes connected across vertically adjacent areas are modulating at area 41 in Fig. 12, it is known that this part comprises a vertical line segment in the character pattern. Furthermore, because the electrodes connected vertically and left diagonally in area 42 modulate, it is revealed that this part comprises a vertical and a diagonal line segment in the character pattern. As thus described, the output result of this light modulation device can express the output results of the second layer in the neural network model shown in Fig. 10. To achieve the functions of the third and fourth layers in the neural network model shown in Fig. 10, the modulation results of the light modulation device are ditected with a CCD camera, and given to a computer. By dividing the light modulation device into nine subregions and calculating the number of unit electrodes modulating the read light 8 in each subregion, the output of the nouron of the third layer in Fig. 10 can be obtained. The connection between the third and fourth layers is achieved in computer software. The above recognition device can correctly recognize character patterns shown is Fig. 13. This demonstrates that the neural network model used in this recognition device provides high recognition ability against shifted patterns. sixth embodiment Fig. 14 is a plane figure of the light modulation device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 15 is a cross section of the light modulation device at line C - C' in Fig. 14. This light modulation device 1 comprises a transparent electrode 2, a light shield layer 10, a photoconductive layer 3, a conductive electrode 9, a light modulation layer 5, and a second transparent electrode 2' formed together in that order and sandwiched between a substrate 6 and 6' on each side. As in the fifth embodiment described above, the light modulation device of this embodiment is divided into 64 regions based on the regularity of the electrode structure. The electrode pattern 43 consist of fives unit electrodes 39 which are electrically connected. The light shield layer 10 prevents incident light from illuminating the light modulation layer where a unit electrode 39 is not also present. The light modulation layer 5 performs a digitization function of the applied field, and comprises, for example, ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between alignment layers. Thus, as in the fifth embodiment of the light modulation device, the light modulation layer 5 can modulate the read light 8 only when all of parts of photoconductive layer 3 which correspond to electrically connected fire electrode are illuminated at the same time. The modulated read light 8 is then reflected by the conductive electrode 43. It is assumed that the letter "t" shown in Fig. 16 is given to the light modulation device. This character pattern is displayed on the transparent liquid crystal display, for example, and the shaded areas 44 in Fig. 16 pass light through. The threshold value  of the modulation device is adjusted to satisfy the following equation: 4 x I x S <  < 5 x I x S where I denotes light energy per unit area of light passing area 44, and S is the area of the unit electrode 39 of the light modulation device shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, when the character pattern shown in Fig. 16 is input, the read light 8 is modulated by the light modulation device only at electrodes 45 in Fig. 17. Thus, the light modulation device according to the present embodiment can extract such geometric shapes as "+" included in the image. Seventh embodiment Fig. 18 is a plane figure of the light modulation device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and Figs. 19, 20, 21, and 22 are detailed plane figures of areas 46, 47, 48, and 49 in Fig. 18, respectively. This light modulation device 1 comprises a transparent electrode 2, a light shield layer 10, a photoconductive layer 3, a conductive electrode 9, a light modulation layer 5, and a second transparent electrode 2' formed together in that order and sandwiched between a substrate 6 and 6' on each side. The light modulation device of this embodiment is divided into 4 regions 46, 47, 48, and 49 based on the electrode structure. Specifically, the geometric pattern extracted by each region differs. For example, the region 46 shown in Fig. 19 has electrodes which consists of five unit electrodes, and can extract the pattern "+". Similarly, the region 47 shown in Fig. 20 has electrodes which consists of four unit electrodes, and can extract the pattern "⊥". The region 48 shown in Fig. 21 has electrodes which consists of three unit electrodes, and can extract the pattern "∧". The region 49 shown in Fig. 22 has electrodes consists of two unit electrodes, and can extract the pattern "¦". Thus, as in the fifth and sixth embodiments of the light modulation device, the light modulation layer 5 modulates the read light 8 only at those parts where its corresponding photoconductive layer 3 is illuminated by sufficient light. In this embodiment the number of electrically connected unit electrodes 39 differs in each region, but by making the sum of the area of the connected unit electrodes the same, the shapes can be extracted with a single threshold value . The electrode of each unit should satisfy following equation 2: 4 x I x S 1 <  < 5 x I x S 1 3 x I x S 2 <  < 4 x I x S 2 2 x I x S 3 <  < 3 x I x S 3 I x S 4 <  < 2 x I x S 4 where  is the threshold value; S 1 S 2 , S 3 , and S 4 are the area of the unit electrodes in the region of 46, 47, 48, and 49, respectively; and I is the incident light intensity per unit area. To extract, different geometric patterns with this light modulation device, the area of unit electrodes such that S 2 , S 3 , and S 4 should satisfy equation 3. S 2 = 5 x S 1 /4 S 3 = 5 x S 1 /3 S 4 = 5 x S 1 /2 Thus, the light modulation device according to the present embodiment can extract such the geometric shapes "+", "⊥", "∧", and "¦" included in the image. It is to be noted that the invention shall not be limited to the above description, and various other shapes can be recognized by applying the same principles and shall not be considered beyond the scope of this invention. As described hereinabove, line segments and geometric patterns forming an input image can be extracted accurately and at high speed by means of a simple construction according to the light modulation device of the present invention. Furthermore, line segments and geometric patterns contained in an input image can be extracted at high speed by means of the image recognition method of the invention, and image recognition with extremely high performance is possible by using this method in combination with a neural network.

Claims: A light modulation device comprising a first transparent electrode (2), a photoconductive layer (3) formed on the first transparent electrode (2), a light modulation layer (5) formed on the photoconductive layer (3), a second transparent electrode (2') formed on the light modulation layer (5), a plurality of electrodes (9; 14, 15) formed between the photoconductive layer (3) and light modulation layer (5), and means for applying a potential between the transparent electrodes (2, 2') insufficient to actuate the light modulation layer (5) without activation of the photoconductive layer (3), characterized in that the electrodes (9; 14, 15) in said plurality of electrodes (9; 14, 15) are electrically insulated from each other, aligned in different directions and arranged to define segments including plural pixels in an input image area of the device, an electrode holding a respective segment at a potential exceeding the light modulation layer threshold voltage responsive to activation of the respective segment of the photoconductive layer (3) to modulate read light (8). The light modulation device according to claim 1, wherein the directions include one of horizontal direction, vertical direction and directions intersecting at 45°. The light modulation device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the plurality of electrodes (9; 14, 15) are electrically insulated at intersections thereof by insulating layer means. The light modulation device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the photoconductive layer (3) is separated into pixel units. The light modulation device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein each of the plurality of electrodes (9; 14, 15) consists of plural separated electrically connected unit electrodes. An image recognition method using a light modulation device according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of extracting line information and geometric shapes corresponding to the segments, processing the line information and geometric shapes on a neural network, and recognizing the image formed thereby.

Inventors: AKIYAMA KOJI, KURATOMI YASUNORI, MIYAUCHI MICHIHIRO, NOMURA KOJI, OGAWA HISAHITO, TAKIMOTO AKIO, AKIYAMA, KOJI, KURATOMI,YASUNORI, MIYAUCHI, MICHIHIRO, NOMURA, KOJI, OGAWA, HISAHITO, TAKIMOTO, AKIO
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G02F1
IPC codes: G06K9, G06N3, G02F1