Linear sensor imaging method and apparatus

An imaging method comprising the steps of:

• a. producing, at a first time of occurrence, a first image of a segment of an object positioned in a first location;
• b. accumulating said first image and said first time of occurrence;
• c. repeating said steps (a) and (b) for a successive plurality of segments of said object as said object moves across said first location;
• d. producing, at a second time of occurrence, a second image of a segment of said object positioned in a second location extending substantially parallel to said first location and spaced a distance d from said first location;
• e. comparing said second image with said accumulated first images and selecting that one of said accumulated first images which is most similar to said second image;
• f. estimating said object's speed as a weight function S.varies.d/(t.sub.i -t.sub.m), where t.sub.i is said time of occurrence of a selected one of said second images and t.sub.m is said time of occurrence of said first image most similar to said selected second image;
• g. storing said speed estimate with said selected first image;
• h. repeating said steps (a) through (g) until said object moves beyond said second location;
• and,
• i. combining said selected first images to produce a composite image of said object.

An imaging method comprising the steps of:

• a. selecting a predefined time interval T.sub.wait ;
• b. after expiry of said time interval T.sub.wait, producing at a first time of occurrence, a first image of a first segment of an object positioned in a first location;
• c. accumulating said first image and said first time of occurrence;
• d. repeating said steps (b) and (c) for a successive plurality of said first segments as said object moves across said first location;
• e. producing, at a second time of occurrence, a second image of a second segment of said object positioned in a second location extending substantially parallel to said first location and spaced a distance d from said first location;
• f. comparing said second image with each one of said accumulated first images and selecting that one of said accumulated first images which is most similar to said second image;
• g. estimating said object's speed as a weight function S.varies.d/(t.sub.i -t.sub.m), where t.sub.i is said time of occurrence of a selected one of said second images and t.sub.m is said time of occurrence of said first image most similar to said selected second image;
• h. determining said time interval T.sub.wait =1/(R * S) where R is a predefined image resolution;
• i. repeating said steps (b) through (h) until said object moves beyond said second location;
• and,
• j. combining said selected first images to produce a composite image of said object.