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新型芯片产生新视力
文章来源： 文章作者： 发布时间：2006-09-04 09:42 字体： [大 中 小]　 进入论坛
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A New Chip Design May Lead to New Sight

　

新型芯片产生新视力
For decades, scientists and eye doctors have been trying to develop artificial eyes that would return the sense of sight to blind and visually impaired1 people. And the thought of the "bionic eye" may not be too far fetched. Many companies, such as Optobionics in Wheaton, Ill., have taken the first steps with tiny microchips that can mimic2 certain parts and function of the human eye; such as the rods and cones3, sensors4 that convert light into electrical impulses at the retina located at the back of the eye. But scientists at the Office of Naval5 Research in Arlington, Va., believe they are on the path to a chip that could truly mimic the entire nerve system of the retina back of the human eye. At the heart of their potential artificial eye is a well-known chip design called a cellular6 nonlinear network, or CNN. In the chip, individual computer circuits are connected to each other in a checkerboard array. Each connection can be given a mathematical "weight" that "describes" the relationship of each circuit to each other. When the chip is exposed to image data, each pixel or point of light in the picture is sent to a specific cell in the chip. Mathematical algorithms can then manipulate each connection's weight to produce different resulting images. One set of algorithms could help find the edges of an object in the image. Another set of algorithm could then find corners, while another set define contours.     数十年来，科学家和眼科医生一直努力研制人造眼球，以使盲人和视力受损者重见光明。如今，研制这种"仿生眼"的理想可能不久就会梦想成真。如伊利诺州Wheaton的"视力仿生" 等许多公司已经迈出了第一步，他们研制的微型芯片能够模拟人眼的某些部分和功能，如模拟眼睛的视杆细胞和视锥细胞，它们是位于人眼内层视网膜上的感光细胞，可以将光转变为电脉冲讯号。位于弗吉尼亚州阿灵顿市海军研究所的科学家们认为，他们很快就能研制出一种可以真正模拟人眼视网膜整个神经系统的芯片。他们即将推出的人造眼球的核心是一种颇有名气的芯片，该芯片被称为"多孔非线性网络"，简称CNN。在此芯片中，单个计算机电路以棋盘阵列相互联接，将每次联接做数学"加权"，就可以 "描述"出电路之间的关联。当芯片接触到影像数据时，画面中的像素或光点就被送入芯片中特制的小格内，然后，数学算法能够操作每次联接的权数，由此产生各异的影响。一套算法能有助于影像中某个物体的边，而另一套算法可以找到物体的角，其间，还有一套算法可以定出物体的轮廓。
Larry Cooper, the program manager at Office of Naval Research who specializes in nanoelectronics, says the CNN chip has multiple advantages that make it ideal for use in an artificial retina. For one, the connections between each circuit are parallel, or "non-linear." That means, the calculation for each circuit is happening almost simultaneously7 and allows for very rapid image processing. "The time it takes a chip to [process a function] is about a microsecond," says Cooper. 　　海军研究所的项目经理Larry Cooper是毫微电子学专家，他说，CNN芯片有众多优点，用于人造视网膜非常理想。优点之一就是，每条电路之间的联系是平行或"非线性"的，这就意味着对每条电路的计算几乎同时进行，使影像处理瞬间完成。Cooper说："该芯片[完成一个功能]只需一微秒。"
Another advantage: The chip is an analog8 processor. Common microprocessors9, such as those used in desktop10 PC are digital; dealing11 with values of "1" and "0." But the CNN chip can perform its calculations using image values that aren't as exacting12; which is the same way our brain processes information. 　　另一个优点是：该芯片是一种模拟处理器。普通的微处理器处理数值"1"或"0"，如台式个人电脑中所用的微处理器就是数字的，而CNN芯片可以对不很精确的影像值来进行计算，与人类大脑处理信息的方式相同。
Would It Work? 人造眼球能行吗？
How the CNN chip could be used as an artificial eye, however, is still fairly theoretical, says Frank Werblin, a professor of neurobiology at the University of California at Berkeley. Werblin, who has conducted his own research in CNN chips, says the ideal use would be to create a three-dimensional array where each layer of CNNs would mimic a specific layer of sensors in the human eye. One layer, for example, would be able to pick out edges, while another picks out color. And while the algorithms for doing such CNN calculations are well known, Werblin says the problem is figuring out how to connect it all with the human brain. "You have a million optic nerve fibers13 leaving your eyes, and each goes to specific part of the brain's cortex," says Werblin. But he says no one knows just how many or exactly which ones are needed to produce an image that could be understood by the brain. 　　但是加利福尼亚大学伯克莱分校神经生物学教授Frank Werblin说， CNN芯片人造眼球的运用目前还处于理论研究阶段。Werblin本人也从事CNN芯片研究，他说理想的应用应该是建立一种三维的列阵，使每层CNN芯片能分别模拟人眼相应一层的感光细胞。例如某一层的CNN芯片能够辨认出物体的边缘，而另一层能辨别出色彩。Werblin说，大家都知道做CNN计算的算法，但问题是要想办法将所有这一切与人脑相接。Werblin说："人眼有上百万根视神经纤维，每一根都通向大脑皮层某一特定位置。"他说，但是无人知道需要多少或哪些视神经纤维才能产生人脑所能理解的影像。
And there's still the question of how to connect silicon14 chips to human nerve cells，a process that's just being tried out with much simpler chips such as Optobionic's artificial light sensors. David McComb, chief information officer with Optobionics, says the company has successfully implanted the microchips into the retinas of six patients under a clinical trial approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, actual results of how well the chips are working probably won't be released for review by other scientists until later this year. 　　还有一个问题就是如何将硅芯片与人的神经细胞相连接，现在研究人员正在用诸如 "视觉仿生"人工光感器等更为简单的芯片尝试这一连接过程。"视觉仿生"公司的首席信息官David McComb说他们已经成功地将这种微芯片植入6位患者的视网膜中，这次临床试验得到美国食品和药物管理局的批准。但是这些植入芯片的真实功效要到今年年底才能公布，供其他科研人员研究。
And according to both Werblin and Cooper, it will still be quite some time before CNN chips could be implanted in humans - if ever. Right now, most CNN chips are just too big - about 1 or 2 square inches ; and require too much power to be embedded15 in an eye. Still, the potential prospects16 of ending blindness through artificial eyes grows brighter every day. 　　据Werblin和Cooper介绍，CNN芯片最终植入人眼还要等相当长的一段时间。目前大多数CNN芯片太大，约有1或2平方英寸，眼内需存入的电量也太大。尽管如此，靠人造眼球重见光明的前景正日益明朗。
" Couple of years ago, every one thought this was pie-in-the-sky, Star Wars stuff," says Dr. Gerald Chader, an ophthalmologist and chief science officer for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. But with more clinical trials and research, Chader says it's quite possible that some form of chip implants17 will be helping18 to improve failing eyes in five to 10 years. "In the last couple of years there has been progress," he says, "We have a great deal of hope that there will be positive outcomes." 　　"抗盲基金会"的首席科学官员和眼科学家Gerald Chader博士说："几年前，人人都认为靠人造眼球复明简直是异想天开。"但是随着越来越多的临床试验研究的开展，Chader说，在未来5到10年内，某种形式的芯片植入物很可能有助于改善视力受损病人的状况。他说："在过去的几年内，这方面已取得进展，我们对未来的成就寄予很大的希望。

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1 impaired sqtzdr     
adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • Much reading has impaired his vision. 大量读书损害了他的视力。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • His hearing is somewhat impaired. 他的听觉已受到一定程度的损害。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
2 mimic PD2xc     
v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人
参考例句：
  • A parrot can mimic a person's voice.鹦鹉能学人的声音。
  • He used to mimic speech peculiarities of another.他过去总是模仿别人讲话的特点。
3 cones 1928ec03844308f65ae62221b11e81e3     
n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒
参考例句：
  • In the pines squirrels commonly chew off and drop entire cones. 松树上的松鼠通常咬掉和弄落整个球果。 来自辞典例句
  • Many children would rather eat ice cream from cones than from dishes. 许多小孩喜欢吃蛋卷冰淇淋胜过盘装冰淇淋。 来自辞典例句
4 sensors 029aee483db9ae244d7a5cb353e74602     
n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句
5 naval h1lyU     
adj.海军的，军舰的，船的
参考例句：
  • He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
  • The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。
6 cellular aU1yo     
adj.移动的；细胞的，由细胞组成的
参考例句：
  • She has a cellular telephone in her car.她的汽车里有一部无线通讯电话机。
  • Many people use cellular materials as sensitive elements in hygrometers.很多人用蜂窝状的材料作为测量温度的传感元件。
7 simultaneously 4iBz1o     
adv.同时发生地，同时进行地
参考例句：
  • The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.雷达波几乎可以同时追着多个目标。
  • The Windows allow a computer user to execute multiple programs simultaneously.Windows允许计算机用户同时运行多个程序。
8 analog yLDyQ     
n.类似物，模拟
参考例句：
  • The analog signal contains high-frequency video information,which helps make up the picture.模拟信号包括有助于构成图像的高频视频信息。
  • The analog computer measures continuously,without proceeding step by step.模拟计算机不是一步一步地进行，而是连续地进行量度。
9 microprocessors 937cb6d36748cbbe6ff19e715f8bfcc4     
微（信息）处理机( microprocessor的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • This sort of work would have been inconceivable before the advent of microprocessors. 在微处理机问世之前这种工作是难以想象的。
  • In microprocessors, the name used for the IEEE interface bus standard. 微处理机中，IEEE接口总线标准的名字。
10 desktop sucznX     
n.桌面管理系统程序；台式
参考例句：
  • My computer is a desktop computer of excellent quality.我的计算机是品质卓越的台式计算机。
  • Do you know which one is better,a laptop or a desktop?你知道哪一种更好，笔记本还是台式机？
11 dealing NvjzWP     
n.经商方法，待人态度
参考例句：
  • This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
  • His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
12 exacting VtKz7e     
adj.苛求的，要求严格的
参考例句：
  • He must remember the letters and symbols with exacting precision.他必须以严格的精度记住每个字母和符号。
  • The public has been more exacting in its demands as time has passed.随着时间的推移，公众的要求更趋严格。
13 fibers 421d63991f1d1fc8826d6e71d5e15f53     
光纤( fiber的名词复数 )； （织物的）质地； 纤维，纤维物质
参考例句：
  • Thesolution of collagen-PVA was wet spined with the sodium sulfate as coagulant and collagen-PVA composite fibers were prepared. 在此基础上，以硫酸钠为凝固剂，对胶原-PVA共混溶液进行湿法纺丝，制备了胶原-PVA复合纤维。
  • Sympathetic fibers are distributed to all regions of the heart. 交感神经纤维分布于心脏的所有部分。
14 silicon dykwJ     
n.硅(旧名矽)
参考例句：
  • This company pioneered the use of silicon chip.这家公司开创了使用硅片的方法。
  • A chip is a piece of silicon about the size of a postage stamp.芯片就是一枚邮票大小的硅片。
15 embedded lt9ztS     
a.扎牢的
参考例句：
  • an operation to remove glass that was embedded in his leg 取出扎入他腿部玻璃的手术
  • He has embedded his name in the minds of millions of people. 他的名字铭刻在数百万人民心中。
16 prospects fkVzpY     
n.希望，前途(恒为复数)
参考例句：
  • There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
  • They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。
17 implants c10b91e33a66c4b5cba3b091fcdfe0ac     
n.（植入身体中的）移植物( implant的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Hormone implants are used as growth boosters. 激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Perhaps the most far-reaching project is an initiative called Living Implants From Engineering (LIFE). 也许最具深远意义的项目，是刚刚启动的建造活体移植工程 (LIFE)。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命
18 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的
参考例句：
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
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