Patent Document ID: 5535292
Application ID: 08174302
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method for use in identifying an unknown two dimensional contour as corresponding to one or more of a plurality of known two dimensional polygon contours, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of identifiers for each known two dimensional polygon contour, the identifiers for each known two dimensional polygon contour comprising a plurality of edge length ratios and corresponding threshold values for each of the edges of each known two dimensional polygon contour, (b) providing a plurality of identifiers for the unknown two dimensional contour, comprising a plurality of edge length ratios and corresponding threshold values for each of the edges of the unknown contour, (c) providing a systolic processing system comprising a plurality of matrix element processing elements (MEPEs), and an array of feasible match processing elements (FMPEs) interconnected with selected MEPEs and with each other in a predetermined configuration, (d) inputing to the plurality of MEPEs, in a predetermined sequence, pairs of edge length ratios and corresponding threshold values for consecutive edges of the unknown contour and for each of the known polygon contours, each MEPE being configured to (i) receive the edge length ratios and corresponding threshold values for a pair of edges of the unknown contour and a known polygon contour, (ii) determine a dissimilarity value for the pair of edges, and (iii) direct the dissimilarity value to a selected FMPE of the array, the dissimilarity value for a pair of edges being determined as a function of the absolute differences between respective edge length ratios and corresponding threshold values for the pair of edges, and the array of FMPEs being in a configuration which determines feasible matches between pairs of consecutive edges of the unknown contour and the known prototype contours and delivers outputs related thereto, and (e) comparing such outputs and delivering a final output which is indicative of the longest number of consecutive edges, above a predetermined minimum, for which feasible matches have occurred between the unknown contour and a known polygon contour.