Abstract: A client device, such as a mobile phone or a mobile phone accessory (e.g., phone case), is provided that receives and transmits data (e.g., a social media code) via light wave communication. The light wave communication may comprise structured light (e.g., projected light patterns). The client device may include a lightbox comprised of LEDs located on a back face of the client device.

Abstract: A client device, such as a mobile phone or a mobile phone accessory (e.g., phone case), is provided that receives and transmits data (e.g., a social media code) via light wave communication. The light wave communication may comprise structured light (e.g., projected light patterns). The client device may include a lightbox comprised of LEDs located on a back face of the client device.

Abstract: A client device, such as a mobile phone or a mobile phone accessory (e.g., phone case), is provided that receives and transmits data (e.g., a social media code) via light wave communication. The light wave communication may comprise structured light (e.g., projected light patterns). The client device may include a lightbox comprised of LEDs located on a back face of the client device.

Abstract: A client device, such as a mobile phone or a mobile phone accessory (e.g., phone case), is provided that receives and transmits data (e.g., a social media code) via light wave communication. The light wave communication may comprise structured light (e.g., projected light patterns). The client device may include a lightbox comprised of LEDs located on a back face of the client device.

Abstract: Circuits for self-powered image sensors are provided. In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided, the image comprising: a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels comprising: a photodiode having an anode and a cathode connected to a constant voltage level; a first transistor having: a first input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a first output connected to a reset bus; and a first control configured to receive a discharge signal; and a second transistor having: a second input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a second output connected to a pixel output bus; and a second control configured to receive a select signal; and a third transistor having: a third input coupled to each first output via the reset bus; a third output configured to be coupled to an energy storage device; and a third control configured to receive an energy harvest signal.

Abstract: Circuits for self-powered image sensors are provided. In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided, the image comprising: a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels comprising: a photodiode having an anode and a cathode connected to a constant voltage level; a first transistor having: a first input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a first output connected to a reset bus; and a first control configured to receive a discharge signal; and a second transistor having: a second input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a second output connected to a pixel output bus; and a second control configured to receive a select signal; and a third transistor having: a third input coupled to each first output via the reset bus; a third output configured to be coupled to an energy storage device; and a third control configured to receive an energy harvest signal.

Abstract: Circuits for self-powered image sensors are provided. In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided, the image comprising: a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels comprising: a photodiode having an anode and a cathode connected to a ground voltage; a first transistor having: a first input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a first output connected to a reset bus; and a first control configured to receive a discharge signal; and a second transistor having: a second input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a second output connected to a pixel output bus; and a second control configured to receive a select signal; and a third transistor having: a third input coupled to each first output via the reset bus; a third output configured to be coupled to an energy storage device; and a third control configured to receive an energy harvest signal.

Abstract: In a surveillance system including a remote sensor apparatus and a portable receiver, a method is provided for collecting and processing data related to a surrounding environment of the remote sensor apparatus including image data for a scene external to the housing of the apparatus. The method includes receiving, at the processing unit, raw image data simultaneously from a plurality of image sensors as the raw image data is being captured by the plurality of image sensors. One or more light sources are placed around a wide-angle lens fitted to each of the image sensor. Infrared or near-infrared light emanating from the plurality of light sources is used in a dark environment. The method also includes processing, at the processing unit, the simultaneously received raw image data to generate pre-processed image data. The method further includes transmitting the pre-processed image data to the portable receiver using the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: Circuits for self-powered image sensors are provided. In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided, the image comprising: a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels comprising: a photodiode having an anode and a cathode connected to a ground voltage; a first transistor having: a first input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a first output connected to a reset bus; and a first control configured to receive a discharge signal; and a second transistor having: a second input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a second output connected to a pixel output bus; and a second control configured to receive a select signal; and a third transistor having: a third input coupled to each first output via the reset bus; a third output configured to be coupled to an energy storage device; and a third control configured to receive an energy harvest signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for a surveillance system including a remote sensor apparatus a portable receiver. The method includes receiving, at the portable receiver, image data collected simultaneously from a plurality of image sensors installed in the remote sensor apparatus. The method also includes processing, at the portable receiver, the received image data by, for each of the first plurality of captured images, detecting image features and performing feature matches by matching control points across neighboring images based on a control-point assumption that the control points are relevant only in areas of field of view overlap. The areas of field of view are determined by positions of the plurality of image sensors and a field of view of a wide-angle lens fitted with each of the plurality of image sensors. The method further includes generating a panoramic view by blending the processed first plurality of captured images.

Abstract: In a surveillance system including a remote sensor apparatus and a portable receiver, a method is provided for collecting and processing data related to a surrounding environment of the remote sensor apparatus including image data for a scene external to the housing of the apparatus. The method includes receiving, at the processing unit, raw image data simultaneously from a plurality of image sensors as the raw image data is being captured by the plurality of image sensors. One or more light sources are placed around a wide-angle lens fitted to each of the image sensor Infrared or near-infrared light emanating from the plurality of light sources is used in a dark environment. The method also includes processing, at the processing unit, the simultaneously received raw image data to generate pre-processed image data. The method further includes transmitting the pre-processed image data to the portable receiver using the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: In a surveillance system including a remote sensor apparatus and a portable receiver, a method is provided for collecting and processing data related to a surrounding environment of the remote sensor apparatus including image data for a scene external to the housing of the apparatus. The method includes receiving, at the processing unit, raw image data simultaneously from a plurality of image sensors as the raw image data is being captured by the plurality of image sensors. One or more light sources are placed around a wide-angle lens fitted to each of the image sensor. Infrared or near-infrared light emanating from the plurality of light sources is used in a dark environment. The method also includes processing, at the processing unit, the simultaneously received raw image data to generate pre-processed image data. The method further includes transmitting the pre-processed image data to the portable receiver using the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A method is provided for a system including a plurality of remote sensor apparatus and a portable receiver. The portable receiver includes an RFID reader. The remote sensor apparatus has an RFID unit. The method includes reading RFID stored in the RFID unit of one or more of the plurality of remote sensor apparatus using the RFID reader. The method also includes registering the one or more of the plurality of remote sensor apparatus using the received RFID. The method further includes receiving data from a first active remote sensor apparatus. The data includes sensor data collected from sensors installed in the first active remote sensor and RFID of the first active remote sensor apparatus. The method also includes processing the sensor data, if the RFID of the first active remote sensor apparatus matches the RFID of any of the one or more of the plurality of remote sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for a system including a plurality of remote sensor apparatus and a portable receiver. The portable receiver includes an RFID reader. The remote sensor apparatus has an RFID unit. The method includes reading RFID stored in the RFID unit of one or more of the plurality of remote sensor apparatus using the RFID reader. The method also includes registering the one or more of the plurality of remote sensor apparatus using the received RFID. The method further includes receiving data from a first active remote sensor apparatus. The data includes sensor data collected from sensors installed in the first active remote sensor and RFID of the first active remote sensor apparatus. The method also includes processing the sensor data, if the RFID of the first active remote sensor apparatus matches the RFID of any of the one or more of the plurality of remote sensor apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing controllable power to the load via AC-line power source where load is less than minimal required for proper operation of said source. In one example LED lamp connected to AC power source via conventional triac-based dimmer uses less power than minimum required for proper operation of said dimmer. In another example LED lamp connected to AC power source via device known as electronic transformer uses less power than required for proper operation of said electronic transformer.

Abstract: A heater unit is adapted to determine if a humidification chamber thermally coupled to a hot plate of the heater unit is effectively dry based on determining a thermal response of a hot plate of the heater unit. Also, the activation period during which the hot plate is being heated is adjusted toward an optimum period by adjusting the energization or power level to the heater element thereof in relation to the duration of a prior activation period. Further, the air flow rate of gas through the humidification chamber may be estimated based on a temperature of the hot plate determined in predetermined relationship to the beginning of an activation period.

Abstract: A heater unit is adapted to determine if a humidification chamber thermally coupled to a hot plate of the heater unit is effectively dry based on determining a thermal response of a hot plate of the heater unit. Also, the activation period during which the hot plate is being heated is adjusted toward an optimum period by adjusting the energization or power level to the heater element thereof in relation to the duration of a prior activation period. Further, the air flow rate of gas through the humidification chamber may be estimated based on a temperature of the hot plate determined in predetermined relationship to the beginning of an activation period.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing controllable power to the load via AC-line power source where load is less than minimal required for proper operation of said source. In one example LED lamp connected to AC power source via conventional triac-based dimmer uses less power than minimum required for proper operation of said dimmer. In another example LED lamp connected to AC power source via device known as electronic transformer uses less power than required for proper operation of said electronic transformer.

Abstract: A multi-stage polarization transformer is described that includes a first polarization transformer stage that receives an optical signal at an input and that generates a first transformed optical signal at an output. The first transformed optical signal has a polarization state within a first predetermined range. A second polarization transformer stage receives the first transformed optical signal at an input and generates a second transformed optical signal at an output. The second transformed optical signal has a polarization state within a second predetermined range. The second predetermined range is less than the first predetermined range.