Visual Cortical Circuit Apparatus for Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing visual cortical circuit technologies face challenges in miniaturization and precision, particularly when detecting objects in unfavorable conditions, requiring a large number of apparatuses for effective detection.

Innovation Solution

A visual cortical circuit apparatus comprising a current mirror unit, transconductance unit, buffer unit, and bipolar switching unit, which generates and processes currents and voltages to distinguish between background and objects, enabling efficient object detection and rescue information provision in a small chip form.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large number of visual cortical circuit apparatuses are used to detect objects in unfavorable conditions, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and chip area increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection precisionVSAvoidcircuit apparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The visual cortical circuit apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: current mirror unit, transconductance unit, buffer unit, and bipolar switching unit. Each unit performs a specific function in the signal processing chain, allowing for independent optimization and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection precision through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from purely electrical signal processing to incorporating voltage-controlled transconductance operations, adding a new dimension of control. The transconductance unit converts current signals to voltage signals and back, enabling parallel processing operations that improve detection precision without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the visual cortical circuit apparatus is miniaturized into a small chip form, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision and circuit integration become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip sizeVSAvoidcircuit integration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional units are merged into a single integrated chip structure. The current mirror unit, transconductance unit, buffer unit, and bipolar switching unit are combined on one chip with shared power supply lines and ground connections, reducing overall device volume while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard integrated circuit fabrication processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transconductance unit serves multiple functions: it converts current to voltage, provides signal amplification, and enables parallel processing operations. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, facilitating chip miniaturization without sacrificing manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If parallel structure is implemented to increase the number of visual cortical circuit apparatuses, then object detection capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The current mirror unit pre-processes input signals by creating mirrored current copies before they reach the transconductance unit. This preliminary action enables parallel processing of multiple signals simultaneously, improving detection capability while the mirrored structure ensures efficient current utilization and reduced power consumption through signal reuse

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bipolar switching unit creates copies of processed signals for parallel output paths. By copying signals rather than duplicating entire processing chains, the system achieves enhanced detection capability through parallelism while minimizing the increase in power consumption and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for a parallel structure implementable in a small chip, significantly increasing the number of visual cortical circuit apparatuses required for detecting objects, even in unfavorable conditions, while maintaining precision and enabling rescue information generation.

Implementation Method 1

a current mirror unit for using a transistor as a current source to generate a current having the same magnitude as that of a reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCurrent mirror effect:

Implementation Method 2

a transconductance unit for receiving, as an input, the current generated by the current mirror unit and outputting a voltage using transconductance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTransconductance:

Implementation Method 3

a buffer unit for converting the voltage output by the transconductance unit into a current and buffering the current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage-to-current conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2811453B1Visual cortical circuit apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCI & TECH
  • EP2811453B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2811453B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(b)
  • EP2811453B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided us a visual cortical circuit apparatus comprising: a current mirror unit which uses a transistor as a current source to generate a current having the same size as that of a reaction; a transconductance unit which takes, as an input, the current generated by the current mirror unit and outputs a voltage using a transconductance; and a buffer unit for converting the voltage output from the transconductance unit into a current and buffering the current.