Syntax-directed interpretation of classes of pictures

Abstract

A descriptive scheme for classes of pictures based on labeling techniques using parallel processing algorithms was proposed by the author some years ago. Since then much work has been done in applying this to bubble chamber pictures. The parallel processing simulator, originally written for an IBM 7094 system, has now been rewritten for a CDC 3600 system. This paper describes briefly the structure of syntactic descriptive models by considering their specific application to bubble chamber pictures. How the description generated in this phase can be embedded in a larger “conversation” program is explained by means of a certain specific example that has been worked out. A partial generative grammar for “handwritten” English letters is given, as are also a few computer-generated outputs using this grammar and the parallel processing simulator mentioned earlier.