Abstract: An x-ray source for use in Phase Contrast Imaging is disclosed. In particular, the x-ray source includes a cathode array of individually controlled field-emission electron guns. The field emission guns include very small diameter tips capable of producing a narrow beam of electrons. Beams emitted from the cathode array are accelerated through an acceleration cavity and are directed to a transmission type anode, impinging on the anode to create a small spot size, typically less than five micrometers. The individually controllable electron guns can be selectively activated in patterns, which can be advantageously used in Phase Contrast Imaging.

Abstract: Described here is a method for performing phase contrast imaging using an array of independently controllable x-ray sources. The array of x-ray sources can be controlled to produce a distinct spatial pattern of x-ray radiation and thus can be used to encode phase contrast signals without the need for a coded aperture. The lack of coded aperture increases the flexibility of the imaging method. For instance, because a fixed, coded aperture is not required, the angular resolution of the imaging technique can be increased as compared to coded-aperture imaging. Moreover, the lack of a radioopaque coded aperture increases the photon flux that reaches the subject, thereby increasing the attainable signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing traffic flow instabilities and increasing vehicle throughput by monitoring the distances and velocities of motor vehicles leading and following a center vehicle and controlling the velocities of the vehicles to maintain a steady relative distance between the center vehicle and the leading and following vehicles. Using distance and speed information derived from both leading and following vehicles reduces the loop gain of feedback needed below one (1) and diminishes traffic instabilities caused by “car following.

Abstract: The present invention is a roadside safety system and method to communicate to a roadside personnel a potential danger created by an oncoming vehicle. The system includes a projection system that selectively projects a pattern of light in a direction along the roadside, a sensor system that includes a camera to detect the oncoming vehicle, an alert system connected directly or indirectly to the sensor system that selectively causes an alert to notify the roadside personnel when there is the potential danger; and a control system that selectively enables the projection system to project the pattern of light and causes the alert system to issue the alert. The projection system establishes a virtual flare on the road to warn oncoming vehicles of a emergency situation and a processor can process information received by the sensors and can then determine potential threats created by oncoming vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention is a roadside safety system and method to communicate to a roadside personnel a potential danger created by an oncoming vehicle. The system includes a projection system that selectively projects a pattern of light in a direction along the roadside, a sensor system that includes a camera to detect the oncoming vehicle, an alert system connected directly or indirectly to the sensor system that selectively causes an alert to notify the roadside personnel when there is the potential danger; and a control system that selectively enables the projection system to project the pattern of light and causes the alert system to issue the alert. The projection system establishes a virtual flare on the road to warn oncoming vehicles of a emergency situation and a processor can process information received by the sensors and can then determine potential threats created by oncoming vehicles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing traffic flow instabilities and increasing vehicle throughput by monitoring the distances and velocities of motor vehicles leading and following a center vehicle and controlling the velocities of the vehicles to maintain a steady relative distance between the center vehicle and the leading and following vehicles. Using distance and speed information derived from both leading and following vehicles reduces the loop gain of feedback needed below one (1) and diminishes traffic instabilities caused by “car following.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing traffic flow instabilities and increasing vehicle throughput by monitoring the distances and velocities of motor vehicles leading and following a center vehicle and controlling the velocities of the vehicles to maintain a steady relative distance between the center vehicle and the leading and following vehicles. Using distance and speed information derived from both leading and following vehicles reduces the loop gain of feedback needed below one (1) and diminishes traffic instabilities caused by “car following.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing traffic flow instabilities and increasing vehicle throughput by monitoring the distances and velocities of motor vehicles leading and following a center vehicle and controlling the velocities of the vehicles to maintain a steady relative distance between the center vehicle and the leading and following vehicles. Using distance and speed information derived from both leading and following vehicles reduces the loop gain of feedback needed below one (1) and diminishes traffic instabilities caused by “car following.

Abstract: Phase-contrast imaging is performed by directing radiation from a plurality of pinhole sources through a phase object to be imaged, wherein the phase object includes a first composition that produces a phase shift in the radiation relative to radiation passing through a second composition in the phase object and detecting a phase-contrast image of the radiation after it passes through the phase object. The phase-contrast image is then decoded to generate an image of the phase object in which the first composition is distinguished from the second composition.

Abstract: An object tracking apparatus includes a buffer unit that is configured to store picture information, an object position detecting unit that detects positional information of an object from the picture information, an object region detecting unit that detects a region of the object in the picture information based on the positional information, a storage unit that detects a feature properties of the object located in the region and stores the positional information, the feature properties and the region of the object, a predicting unit that predicts a position of the object of the next frame in the picture information from the position information, a determining unit that determines a predictive area of the next frame where the region is to be moved based on the position of the object of the next frame, and a verifying unit that verifies the feature properties of the object within the predictive area of the next frame and outputs a most resemble region.

Abstract: A time-to-contact estimation device for estimating a time to contact of a moving body to an object in surroundings of the moving body, includes: an image sensor provided on the moving body, and continuously capturing time-varying images of the surroundings of the moving body; a brightness change calculation unit calculating brightness changes in pixels between the time-varying images captured one after another; and a time-to-contact calculation unit calculating optimized brightness gradients based on the brightness changes calculated by the brightness change calculation unit, and calculating the time to contact of the moving body to the object based on the optimized brightness gradients.

Abstract: Phase-contrast imaging is performed by directing radiation from a plurality of pinhole sources through a a phase object to be imaged, wherein the phase object includes a first composition that produces a phase shift in the radiation relative to radiation passing through a second composition in the phase object and detecting a phase-contrast image of the radiation after it passes through the phase object. The phase-contrast image is then decoded to generate an image of the phase object in which the first composition is distinguished from the second composition.

Abstract: A time-to-contact estimation device for estimating a time to contact of a moving body to an object in surroundings of the moving body, includes: an image sensor provided on the moving body, and continuously capturing time-varying images of the surroundings of the moving body; a brightness change calculation unit calculating brightness changes in pixels between the time-varying images captured one after another; and a time-to-contact calculation unit calculating optimized brightness gradients based on the brightness changes calculated by the brightness change calculation unit, and calculating the time to contact of the moving body to the object based on the optimized brightness gradients.

Abstract: An analog VLSI microchip which uses moments to determine the position and orientation of an object in a scene is disclosed. The imaging sensors are implemented on the chip itself using standard fabrication processes. The method allows very high speed computation in a small, low cost, and low power device. The first moments determine the centroid of the image, which provides the position. The second moments, together with the first moments, determine the axis of least inertia, which provides the orientation. The method uses a resistive grid with nodes containing intensity data (in the form of voltages) corresponding to the image. The moment extraction method is a two-stage dimensional reduction of data. First, the two-dimensional array of intensity data is reduced to a one-dimensional array of data (in the form of currents) by the resistive grid.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically determining the position and attitude of a three-dimensional body at a work station by utilizing three cameras each of which generates a non-overlapping plane of image data, including a single target point of the body without the use of structured light. The locations of the target points are determined and processed within a programmed computer together with calibration data relating to the expected position of the body in the work station to provide data relating to the position and attitude of the body with respect to the work station. The resultant data relating to the position and attitude of the body are subsequently transformed into a first set of offset data relating to the difference between the actual and expected positions of the body. The first set of offset data is then transformed into a second set of offset data in the coordinate system of a peripheral device such as a robot, programmable controller, numerically controlled machine, etc.

Abstract: A small but very efficient X-ray detector operating in a current integrating mode for use in high speed tomography apparatus comprises a scintillator that is entirely coated with a highly reflective matte material except for a relatively small-area window. A P.I.N photo-diode is juxtaposed with the scintillator opposite the window and the two are secured together at an optical interface comprising a transparent adherent material preferably having an index of refraction between the indices of the scintillator and the photo-diode. The ratio of the active surface area of the photo-diode to the area of the scintillator coated with reflective material is appreciably less than unity.