CONTAINER INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH SYSTOLIC ARRAY PROCESSING

A system for inspecting containers that includes a camera for obtaining an image of the container that comprises a plurality of pixels each forming a portion of the image, and a memory for receiving and storing image pixel data from the camera. A systolic array processor includes a plurality of one-bit data processors configured in a rectangular array, and a microcoded controller for controlling operation of the plurality of one-bit data processors to process data simultaneously and in parallel. A data-dependent processor separate from the systolic array processor is adapted to perform non-sequential and/or data-dependent processing of image data. A master computer is connected to the camera control electronics, memory, systolic array processor and data-dependent processor. By controlling operation of these electronics, the master computer obtains pixel data from the camera and stores such data by pixel in memory, retrieves pixel data from memory and loads such data by pixel into the systolic array processor such that each of the plurality of one-bit processors receives and operates on one byte of pixel data, returns data from the systolic array processor to the memory, and retrieves pixel data from memory and loading such data into the data-dependent processor for non-sequential and/or data-dependent image processing.