This chapter presents a set of introductory material, which in addition to providing a general view on the topic, highlights the importance of research in this area. It also presents a short history of the design of smart vision sensors, and points out some of the fundamental issues in the design of such sensors. 1. 1 A General Overview Machine vision is one of the main branches of artificial intelligence. The richness of information present in images makes them the first choice as an input to an artificial system which tries to interact with its environment. A large proportion of the brain of many advanced species is dedicated to visual information processing, which illustrates the importance of visual information in biological systems. Biological visual systems have evolved over millions of years, and each specie has developed a specialized visual system tailored for the essential tasks of survival, such as catching a prey, or escaping a predator. Implementing electronic hardware for image processing, therefore, may benefit from the underlying fundamental aspects of biological vision, though in no respect should this be regarded as a solid framework for electronic vision systems. Traditionally, computer vision algorithms are performed on images captured by conventional cameras, and processing is accomplished by means of general purpose digital computers. More advanced systems utilize dedicated hardware to speed up the processing stage.

Focal-plane sensor-processor imager devices are sensor arrays and processor arrays embedded in each other on the same silicon chip. This close coupling enables ultra-fast processing even on tiny, low power devices, because the slow and energetically expensive transfer of the large amount of sensory data is eliminated. This technology also makes it possible to produce locally adaptive sensor arrays, which can (similarly to the human retina) adapt to the large dynamics of the illumination in a single scene This book focuses on the implementation and application of state-of-the-art vision chips. It provides an overview of focal plane chip technology, smart imagers and cellular wave computers, along with numerous examples of current vision chips, 3D sensor-processor arrays and their applications. Coverage includes not only the technology behind the devices, but also their near- and mid-term research trends.

Primer to Neuromorphic Computing highlights critical and ongoing research into the diverse applications of neuromorphic computing. It includes an overview of primary scientific concepts for the research topic of neuromorphic computing, such as neurons as computational units, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neuromorphic models. It also discusses the fundamental design method and organization of neuromorphic architecture. Hardware for neuromorphic systems can be developed by exploiting the magnetic properties of different materials. These systems are more energy efficient and enable faster computation . Magnetic tunnel junctions and magnetic textures can be employed to act as neurons and synapses. Neuromorphic systems have general intelligence like humans as they can apply knowledge gained in one domain to other domains. - Discusses potential neuromorphic applications in computing - Presents current trends and models in neuromorphic computing and neural network hardware architectures - Shows the development of novel devices and hardware to enable neuromorphic computing - Offers information about computation and learning principles for neuromorphic systems - Provides information about Neuromorphic implementations of neurobiological learning algorithms - Discusses biologically inspired neuromorphic systems and devices (including adaptive bio interfacing and hybrid systems consisting of living matter and synthetic matter)

This comprehensive book deals with motion estimation for autonomous systems from a biological, algorithmic and digital perspective. An algorithm, which is based on the optical flow constraint equation, is described in detail.

"Brain-inspired information technology" is one of key concepts for the development of information technology in the next generation. Explosive progress of computer technology has been continuing based on a simple principle called "if-then rule". This means that the programmer of software have to direct every action of the computer programs in response to various inputs. There inherently is a limitation of complexity because we human have a limited capacity for managing complex systems. Actually, many bugs, mistakes of programming, exist in computer software, and it is quite difficult to extinguish them. The parts of computer programs where computer viruses attack are also a kind of programming mistakes, called security hole. Of course, human body or nervous system is not perfect. No creator or director, however, exists for us. The function of our brain is equipped by learning, self-organization, natural selection, and etc, resulting in adaptive and flexible information system. Brain-inspired information technology is aiming to realize such nature-made information processing system by using present computer system or specific hardware. To do so, researchers in various research fields are getting together to inspire each other and challenge cooperatively for the same goal.

Intelligent/smart systems have become common practice in many engineering applications. On the other hand, current low cost standard CMOS technology (and future foreseeable developments) makes available enormous potentialities. The next breakthrough will be the design and development of "smart adaptive systems on silicon" i.e. very power and highly size efficient complete systems (i.e. sensing, computing and "actuating" actions) with intelligence on board on a single silicon die. Smart adaptive systems on silicon will be able to "adapt" autonomously to the changing environment and will be able to implement "intelligent" behaviour and both perceptual and cognitive tasks. At last, they will communicate through wireless channels, they will be battery supplied or remote powered (via inductive coupling) and they will be ubiquitous in our every day life. Although many books deal with research and engineering topics (i.e. algorithms, technology, implementations, etc.) few of them try to bridge the gap between them and to address the issues related to feasibility, reliability and applications. Smart Adaptive Systems on Silicon, though not exhaustive, tries to fill this gap and to give answers mainly to the feasibility and reliability issues. Smart Adaptive Systems on Silicon mainly focuses on the analog and mixed mode implementation on silicon because this approach is amenable of achieving impressive energy and size efficiency. Moreover, analog systems can be more easily interfaced with sensing and actuating devices.

This volume contains the proceedings from the workshops held in conjunction with the IEEE International Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium, IPDPS 2000, on 1-5 May 2000 in Cancun, Mexico. The workshopsprovidea forum for bringing together researchers,practiti- ers, and designers from various backgrounds to discuss the state of the art in parallelism.Theyfocusondi erentaspectsofparallelism,fromruntimesystems to formal methods, from optics to irregular problems, from biology to networks of personal computers, from embedded systems to programming environments; the following workshops are represented in this volume: { Workshop on Personal Computer Based Networks of Workstations { Workshop on Advances in Parallel and Distributed Computational Models { Workshop on Par. and Dist. Comp. in Image, Video, and Multimedia { Workshop on High-Level Parallel Prog. Models and Supportive Env. { Workshop on High Performance Data Mining { Workshop on Solving Irregularly Structured Problems in Parallel { Workshop on Java for Parallel and Distributed Computing { WorkshoponBiologicallyInspiredSolutionsto ParallelProcessingProblems { Workshop on Parallel and Distributed Real-Time Systems { Workshop on Embedded HPC Systems and Applications { Recon gurable Architectures Workshop { Workshop on Formal Methods for Parallel Programming { Workshop on Optics and Computer Science { Workshop on Run-Time Systems for Parallel Programming { Workshop on Fault-Tolerant Parallel and Distributed Systems All papers published in the workshops proceedings were selected by the p- gram committee on the basis of referee reports. Each paper was reviewed by independent referees who judged the papers for originality, quality, and cons- tency with the themes of the workshops.

Because of their high noise immunity and low static power supply drain, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices produce less heat than other forms of logic and allow a high density of logic functions on a chip. These beneficial characteristics have fueled the use of CMOS image sensors in consumer electronics, robot vision, biotechnology, and medicine. With the introduction of smart functions in CMOS image sensors, even more versatile applications are now possible. Exploring this popular technology, Smart CMOS Image Sensors and Applications focuses on the smart functions implemented in CMOS image sensors as well as the applications of these sensors. After discussing the history of smart CMOS image sensors, the book describes the fundamental elements of CMOS image sensors. It covers some optoelectronic device physics and introduces typical CMOS image sensor structures, such as an active pixel sensor (APS). Subsequent chapters elucidate the functions and materials of smart CMOS image sensors and present examples of smart imaging. The final chapter explores various applications of smart CMOS image sensors. Several appendices supply a range of information on constants, illuminance, MOSFET characteristics, and optical resolution. This book provides a firm foundation in existing smart CMOS image sensor technology and applications, preparing you for the next phase of smart CMOS image sensors.

Image Processing and Pattern Recognition covers major applications in the field, including optical character recognition, speech classification, medical imaging, paper currency recognition, classification reliability techniques, and sensor technology. The text emphasizes algorithms and architectures for achieving practical and effective systems, and presents many examples. Practitioners, researchers, and students in computer science, electrical engineering, andradiology, as well as those working at financial institutions, will value this unique and authoritative reference to diverse applications methodologies.Coverage includes: - Optical character recognition - Speech classification - Medical imaging - Paper currency recognition - Classification reliability techniques - Sensor technology Algorithms and architectures for achieving practical and effective systems are emphasized, with many examples illustrating the text. Practitioners, researchers, and students in computer science, electrical engineering, and radiology, as wellk as those working at financial institutions, will find this volume a unique and comprehensive reference source for this diverse applications area.

The Second Edition of the bestselling Measurement, Instrumentation, and Sensors Handbook brings together all aspects of the design and implementation of measurement, instrumentation, and sensors. Reflecting the current state of the art, it describes the use of instruments and techniques for performing practical measurements in engineering, physics, chemistry, and the life sciences and discusses processing systems, automatic data acquisition, reduction and analysis, operation characteristics, accuracy, errors, calibrations, and the incorporation of standards for control purposes. Organized according to measurement problem, the Electromagnetic, Optical, Radiation, Chemical, and Biomedical Measurement volume of the Second Edition: Contains contributions from field experts, new chapters, and updates to all 98 existing chapters Covers sensors and sensor technology, time and frequency, signal processing, displays and recorders, and optical, medical, biomedical, health, environmental, electrical, electromagnetic, and chemical variables A concise and useful reference for engineers, scientists, academic faculty, students, designers, managers, and industry professionals involved in instrumentation and measurement research and development, Measurement, Instrumentation, and Sensors Handbook, Second Edition: Electromagnetic, Optical, Radiation, Chemical, and Biomedical Measurement provides readers with a greater understanding of advanced applications.