A random access picture digitizer, display, and memory system

Abstract

techniques that might be applicable in the future to planetary missions, to the assembly of large structures in Earth orbit, or to free-swimming underwater vehicles where there is a need for the integration of a computer vision system with mechanical effectors. In each of these applications there Is a necessity for real-time processing and a size limit on the on-board processor. To meet these objectives, a random access picture digitizer and memory system (RAPID) has been developed which provides, in effect, real-time random access television cameras to the computer. This short report describes the impact of RAPID on the Robotics Program, both in terms of the hardware design and software organization. ROBOT VISION SYSTEM