Abstract: A voltage-multiplier can be more compact by arrangement in a stack of separate voltage-multiplier-stages. Each of the voltage-multiplier-stages can include electronic-components on a planar-face of a circuit-board. The planar-face of each circuit-board can be parallel with respect to other circuit-boards in the stack. The electronic-components on each voltage-multiplier-stage can be configured to multiply an input-voltage to provide an output-voltage with a higher voltage than the input-voltage. Each voltage-multiplier-stage in the stack can be electrically coupled to two adjacent voltage-multiplier-stages, except that two outermost voltage-multiplier-stages of the stack can be electrically coupled to only one adjacent voltage-multiplier-stage of the stack.

Abstract: A raster scanning x-ray source can be light and small, and can have high resolution. A raster-assembly can be attached directly to and can encircle an x-ray tube. The raster-assembly can adjoin or can be very close to the x-ray tube, resulting in a small and lightweight scanning x-ray source. X-rays can backscatter back into the x-ray tube instead of into a detector, thus improving resolution of the resulting image. A voltage-multiplier, which can be used with the x-ray source, can include separate voltage-multiplier-stages in a stack.

Abstract: A method for assessing possible trajectories of road users in a traffic environment includes capturing the traffic environment with static and dynamic features, identifying at least one traffic user, determining at least one possible trajectory for at least one road user in the traffic environment, and assessing the at least one determined possible trajectory for the at least one road user with an adapted/trained recommendation service and the captured traffic environment.

Abstract: An action planning system (100) and method for autonomous vehicles are provided. The system (100) comprises one or more processors (108) and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (110) having stored thereon a computer program used by the one or more processors (108), wherein the computer program causes the one or more processors (108) to estimate future environment of an autonomous vehicle (114), generate a possible trajectory for the autonomous vehicle (114), predict motion and reactions of each dynamic obstacle in the future environment of the autonomous vehicle (114) based on current local traffic context, and generate a prediction iteratively over timesteps.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle, which drives in an at least in-part-automated manner is configured to determine a control signal for a control system. The system includes a sensor, a planning module, and a monitoring module. The sensor is configured to detect an object in a surrounding area of the vehicle and store a corresponding object representation. The planning module is configured to determine, based to the stored object representation, a first trajectory and a first probability of collision of the first trajectory for the vehicle. The monitoring module is configured to perform one of following actions when the first probability of collision exceeds a predefined probability of collision: determine, using the planning module and based on the stored object representation, a further trajectory having a further probability of collision and a maximum deceleration of the further trajectory; or assess the stored object representation of the object using the sensor.

Abstract: A raster scanning x-ray source can be light and small, and can have high resolution. A raster-assembly can be attached directly to and can encircle an x-ray tube. The raster-assembly can adjoin or can be very close to the x-ray tube, resulting in a small and lightweight scanning x-ray source. X-rays can backscatter back into the x-ray tube instead of into a detector, thus improving resolution of the resulting image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle motion planning. The system includes an electronic controller configured to access a manifold describing a driving surface in three dimensions from a memory, perform parameterization of the manifold to obtain a plurality of local charts describing the driving surface in two dimensions, determine a driving path of a vehicle based using the plurality of local charts, and generate a command to navigate the vehicle along the driving path.

Abstract: A method for assessing possible trajectories of road users in a traffic environment includes capturing the traffic environment with static and dynamic features, identifying at least one traffic user, determining at least one possible trajectory for at least one road user in the traffic environment, and assessing the at least one determined possible trajectory for the at least one road user with an adapted/trained recommendation service and the captured traffic environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for visualizing synthetic objects within a real-world video clip. The embodiments allow interactive, synthetic objects or characters to appear as if they are “embedded” inside or form part of a video clip. These objects move independently of the environment within the video clip and are controlled by a user. In one embodiment the video frames are set as textures in the furthermost layer in a 3D environment viewer or 3D “engine”. In another embodiment separate layers of video frames are superimposed with the synthetic objects on an output screen and synchronizing the movements and the field of view settings to give the perception that only one camera is used.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a 360 degree mixed virtual reality environment that provides a 360 degree view of an environment in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. In a number of embodiments, the 360 degree mixed virtual reality environment is obtained by (1) combining one or more real world videos that capture images of an environment with (2) a virtual world environment that includes various synthetic objects that may be placed within the real world clips. Furthermore, the virtual objects embedded within the 360 degree mixed reality environment interact with the real world objects depicted in the real world environment to provide a realistic mixed reality experience.

Abstract: An action planning system (100) and method for autonomous vehicles are provided. The system (100) comprises one or more processors (108) and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (110) having stored thereon a computer program used by the one or more processors (108), wherein the computer program causes the one or more processors (108) to estimate future environment of an autonomous vehicle (114), generate a possible trajectory for the autonomous vehicle (114), predict motion and reactions of each dynamic obstacle in the future environment of the autonomous vehicle (114) based on current local traffic context, and generate a prediction iteratively over timesteps.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle, which drives in an at least in-part-automated manner is configured to determine a control signal for a control system. The system includes a sensor, a planning module, and a monitoring module. The sensor is configured to detect an object in a surrounding area of the vehicle and store a corresponding object representation. The planning module is configured to determine, based to the stored object representation, a first trajectory and a first probability of collision of the first trajectory for the vehicle. The monitoring module is configured to perform one of following actions when the first probability of collision exceeds a predefined probability of collision: determine, using the planning module and based on the stored object representation, a further trajectory having a further probability of collision and a maximum deceleration of the further trajectory; or assess the stored object representation of the object using the sensor.

Abstract: A processing system includes at least one computer processor, which is configured to implement a method that includes receiving crowd-sourced driving path data, map data, and real-time sensor data associated with a roadway. The method includes generating, by the processing system, optimized driving path data for the roadway based on the crowd-sourced path data, the map data, and the sensor data. The method includes providing control signals to control an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based on the optimized driving path data.

Abstract: A processing system includes at least one computer processor, which is configured to implement a method that includes receiving crowd-sourced driving path data, map data, and real-time sensor data associated with a roadway. The method includes generating, by the processing system, optimized driving path data for the roadway based on the crowd-sourced path data, the map data, and the sensor data. The method includes providing control signals to control an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based on the optimized driving path data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding and playing back video at adjustable playback speeds by interpolating frames to achieve smooth playback in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment includes a source encoder that includes a processor, memory including an encoder application, where the encoder application directs the processor to: select a subset of frames from a first video sequence; generate motion vectors describing frames from the first video sequence that are not part of the selected subset of frames, where each motion vector describes movement between a frame in the subset of frames and a frame not included in the subset of frames; store the motion vectors; decimate frames not included in the subset of frames from the first video sequence to generate a second video sequence having a nominal frame rate less than the frame rate of the first video sequence; and encode the second video sequence at the nominal frame rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a 360 degree mixed virtual reality environment that provides a 360 degree view of an environment in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. In a number of embodiments, the 360 degree mixed virtual reality environment is obtained by (1) combining one or more real world videos that capture images of an environment with (2) a virtual world environment that includes various synthetic objects that may be placed within the real world clips. Furthermore, the virtual objects embedded within the 360 degree mixed reality environment interact with the real world objects depicted in the real world environment to provide a realistic mixed reality experience.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a 360 degree mixed virtual reality environment that provides a 360 degree view of an environment in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. In a number of embodiments, the 360 degree mixed virtual reality environment is obtained by (1) combining one or more real world videos that capture images of an environment with (2) a virtual world environment that includes various synthetic objects that may be placed within the real world clips. Furthermore, the virtual objects embedded within the 360 degree mixed reality environment interact with the real world objects depicted in the real world environment to provide a realistic mixed reality experience.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for visualizing synthetic objects within a real-world video clip. The embodiments allow interactive, synthetic objects or characters to appear as if they are “embedded” inside or form part of a video clip. These objects move independently of the environment within the video clip and are controlled by a user. In one embodiment the video frames are set as textures in the furthermost layer in a 3D environment viewer or 3D “engine”. In another embodiment separate layers of video frames are superimposed with the synthetic objects on an output screen and synchronizing the movements and the field of view settings to give the perception that only one camera is used.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding and playing back video at adjustable playback speeds by interpolating frames to achieve smooth playback in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment includes a source encoder that includes a processor, memory including an encoder application, where the encoder application directs the processor to: select a subset of frames from a first video sequence; generate motion vectors describing frames from the first video sequence that are not part of the selected subset of frames, where each motion vector describes movement between a frame in the subset of frames and a frame not included in the subset of frames; store the motion vectors; decimate frames not included in the subset of frames from the first video sequence to generate a second video sequence having a nominal frame rate less than the frame rate of the first video sequence; and encode the second video sequence at the nominal frame rate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for accurately dispensing a powder such as powdered infant formula into a container, and pasteurizing and reconstituting the powdered formula while completely mixing the formula in the container. The apparatus includes a hopper assembly for storing powder, a dosing assembly for measuring and dispensing powder from a receptacle into the container, a dilution assembly and a mixing assembly for obtaining accurately and completely mixed formula from the dispensed powder. The hopper is shaped to promote powder bridging, and the resulting powder bridge is used in combination with the dosing assembly to provide a predetermined amount of powder using a single mechanical valve that is isolated from the powder. The mixing assembly mixes the contents of the container while holding the bottle at a fixed angle relative to the vertical. A method of providing pasteurized infant formula from an infant formula powder is also disclosed.