Abstract: An image processing device is provided for still and video imaging systems which use a low number of samples per image pixel, preferably a single color component per each image pixel. The device includes an edge-dependent and edge-side-dependent color interpolation process, preferably implemented within the imaging system or within a host image processing computer hardware. The process reconstructs the missing color components of each said image pixel with high accuracy, because it is based on the detection of the spatial features present in the pixel neighborhood, thus providing sharp images without artifacts and with smooth transition in hue from pixel to pixel.

Abstract: A variable gain coder-decoder is provided. The variable gain coder-decoder includes a variable gain amplifier in which the amplification gain may be adjusted in one-decibel steps. An analog to digital converter is connected to the variable gain amplifier. The analog to digital converter receives the amplified output of the amplifier, and performs an analog to digital conversion of the amplified output.

Abstract: A clock smoothing circuit generates a smoothed clock signal from a gapped clock signal having unevenly spaced pulses separated by gaps that result from the removal of data bits and from a reference clock signal having evenly spaced pulses that create a predetermined reference frequency. A smoothing element is coupled to the input elements to receive the gapped clock signal and the reference clock signal. In one embodiment, the smoothing element generates a smoothed clock signal having one pulse for each of the pulses in the gapped clock signal and having a frequency that is greater than one-half of the predetermined reference frequency. Each pulse in the smoothed clock signal is synchronized with a pulse in the reference clock signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving uniform low dark currents with CMOS photodiodes. A threshold voltage of a reset FET is set to an appropriate value such that the dark current from a photodiode is actively removed through the reset FET during signal integration. This reduces the dark current by over 3 orders of magnitude as compared to conventional active pixel sensors, without requiring pinned photodiodes.

Abstract: An imaging array of active pixel sensors uses a reset amplifier in each pixel in a four transistor CMOS implementation. The reset amplifier acts as a variable resistance in the source-follower amplifier feedback circuit. The variable resistance is controlled by a range reset voltage applied to the reset amplifier thereby nulling the photodiode reset noise. The ramp reset voltage is applied to all reset amplifiers of all pixels at the same time, thereby providing for reset of the entire array at the same time, i.e., global reset.

Abstract: A system for processing image data, such as an image of a die cut from a silicon wafer, is provided. The system includes an irregular edge detection system, which can locate edge data of a feature of the image data, such as the edge of a probe mark in a bond pad. A feature area calculation system is connected to the irregular edge detection system, such as by accessing data stored by the irregular edge detection system. The feature area calculation system can receive the edge data of the feature and determining the area of the feature, such as by summing normalized pixel area values. The irregular edge detection system uses interpolation to locate edges that occur between the centerpoints of adjacent pixels.

Abstract: A two-dimensional direct memory access system that maximizes processing resources in image processing systems. The present invention includes a two-dimensional direct memory access machine. Also, it employs a ping-pong style memory buffer to assist in the transfer and management of data. In certain applications of the invention, the type of data used by the invention is image data. The two-dimensional direct memory access machine transfers a specific cross sectional area of the image data to a processor. The efficient method of providing the processor only with the specific cross sectional area of the image data that is to be processed at a given time provides decreased processing time and a better utilization of processing resources within the two-dimensional direct memory access system.

Abstract: A semiconductor device lead inspection apparatus and method are provided for capturing images of the semiconductor edges and leads along two optical axes which have different directions in a plane perpendicular to the semiconductor device edge. A first image is reflected off an optical surface of a prism to a direction corresponding to the camera optical axis. A second image is reflected by two optical surfaces of the prism to a direction corresponding to the camera optical axis.

Abstract: A system for encoding data is provided. The system includes a number parser that breaks down a field that has many digits into a set of data strings that each has a fixed number of digits. A logarithmic converter is connected to the number parser, and converts each data string into a compressed string that has less than the fixed number of digits. A compiler connected to the number parser and the logarithmic converter receives the compressed strings from the logarithmic converter and forms a new field that has many digits.

Abstract: A system for inspection components that are sealed within tape is provided. The system includes a light source that can illuminate the components through a tape layer. A polarizer is used to polarize light from the light source, the components, and the tape layer, so as to reduce glare and reflected light. An image system receives light from the polarizer and stores image data for each component.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a component is provided. The system includes an imaging system, such as a digital camera. A controller is connected to the digital camera. The controller receives the digital image data of a device that is generated by the camera. The controller processes the digital image data to generate control commands. A variable grid generation system is also connected to the controller. The variable grid generation system can receive commands from the controller, and can generate a grid in response to the commands that matches the component and that allows the component to be inspected.

Abstract: A system for receiving a signal is provided. The system includes a receiver that is operable to receive the signal, but which may also receive a noise signal. A duty cycle system is connected to the receiver. The duty cycle system can turn the receiver off and on at a controllable frequency. A signal strength system is also connected to the receiver, and is further connected to the duty cycle system. The signal strength system can determine the signal strength of the signal received by the receiver. If the signal strength indicates that the noise signal is not being received, the signal strength system generates control commands to the duty cycle system that cause the duty cycle system to cycle various components of the receiver that are used to suppress noise on and off, so as to conserve power.

Abstract: A system and method for performing image compression using multi-threshold wavelet coding (MTWC) which utilizes a separate initial quantization threshold for each subband generated by the wavelet transform, which substantially reduces the number of insignificant bits generated during the initial quantization steps. Further, the MTWC system chooses the order in which the subbands are encoded according to a preferred rate-distortion tradeoff in order to enhance the image fidelity. Moreover, the MTWC system utilizes a novel quantization sequence order in order to optimize the amount of error energy reduction in significant and refinement maps generated during the quantization step. Thus, the MTWC system provides a better bit rate-distortion tradeoff and performs faster than existing state-of-the-art wavelet coders.

Abstract: A method and system for training an artificial neural network (“ANN”) are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of the present invention initializes an artificial neural network by assigning values to one or more weights. An adaptive learning rate is set to an initial starting value and training patterns for an input layer and an output layer are stored. The input layer training pattern is processed in the ANN to obtain an output pattern. An error is calculated between the output layer training pattern and the output pattern and used to calculate an error ratio, which is used to adjust the value of the adaptive learning rate. If the error ratio is less than a threshold value, the adaptive learning rate can be multiplied by a step-up factor to increase the learning rate. If the error ratio is greater than the threshold value, the adaptive learning rate can be multiplied by a step-down factor to reduce the learning rate.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically searching databases in response to a query is provided by the present invention. More specifically, a system and method for dynamic data-mining and on-line communication of customized information. This method includes the steps of first creating a search-specific profile. This search-specific profile is then input into a data-mining search engine. The data-mining search engine will mine the search-specific profile to determine topic of interests. These topics of interest are output to at least one search tool. These search tools match the topics of interest to at least one destination data site wherein the destination data sites are evaluated to determine if relevant information is present in the destination data site. Relevant information is filtered and presented to the user making the inquiry.

Abstract: A system for inspection components that are sealed within tape is provided. The system includes a light source that can illuminate the components through a tape layer. A polarizer is used to polarize light from the light source, the components, and the tape layer, so as to reduce glare and reflected light. An image system receives light from the polarizer and stores image data for each component.

Abstract: A wireless receiver is capable of detecting and avoiding interference from a potentially interfering transmitter. The receiver includes circuitry that determines whether a signal from the potentially interfering transmitter is likely to overlap an expected signal at an assigned carrier frequency or channel. If so, the receiver switches to another carrier frequency or channel to receive the expected signal. In some embodiments, the receiver switches to the other carrier frequency only if the interference is likely to exceed a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A video compression method is provided and implemented in a pixel processing controller of a digital solid-state imaging device for maximizing throughput of digitized video data on a link between the digital solid-state imaging device and a host computer. The method performs separate luminance (Y) domain compression of the video data on a line-by-line basis, without storing video data lines or video data frames, and separate chrominance (Cr/Cb) domain averaging of the video data on a region-by-region basis without storing video data in video frames. The Y and Cr/Cb domain compression steps are implemented in the digital solid-state imaging device hardware for real time link transmission of the compressed video data to the host computer.

Abstract: A system for selecting reference die images, such as for use with a visual die inspection system, is provided. The system includes a die image comparator, which compares a first die image to a second die image in order to create a difference image that contains only the differences between the two die images. The system also includes a difference image analysis system that receives data from the die image comparator. The difference image analysis system analyzes the difference image and determines whether there are any features of the difference image that indicate that either the first die image or the second die image should not be used as a reference die image.

Abstract: A variable gain coder-decoder is provided. The variable gain coder-decoder includes a variable gain amplifier in which the amplification gain may be adjusted in one-decibel steps. An analog to digital converter is connected to the variable gain amplifier. The analog to digital converter receives the amplified output of the amplifier, and performs an analog to digital conversion of the amplified output.