Abstract: In a general aspect, a camera can include a dynamic memory, and a software driver configured to store, in the dynamic memory, a plurality of predetermined lookup tables (LUTs), and to issue an interpolation command indicating a value of a quantitative image factor corresponding with an image frame received by the ISP. The camera can also include a LUT processing circuit configured to receive the interpolation command, and in response to receiving the interpolation command: read a first predetermined LUT and a second predetermined LUT from the dynamic memory; and perform at least one interpolation operation to generate an interpolated LUT. The camera can further include an image signal processor (ISP) including a configuration register, and the LUT processing circuit can be configured to write the interpolated LUT to the configuration register.

Abstract: Nonlinear image filter defined by local edge intensity and slope and is useful noise and artifact removal during image processing; applications include digital still cameras and video cameras.

Abstract: A proximity-based system for, and method of, reducing Gr-Gb gain imbalance and a digital camera incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a sensor configured to provide a input Bayer pattern array containing amplitudes corresponding to Gr and Gb cells and (2) a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to (2a) compute for at least some of the Gr and Gb cells: closeness measures for pluralities of adjacent, same-type cells, weights for pluralities of adjacent, opposite-type cells based on the closeness measures and weighted averages of the pluralities of the adjacent, opposite-type cells based on the weights and (2b) use the weighted averages to form an output Bayer pattern in which the Gr-Gb gain imbalance is reduced.

Abstract: A new post-processing methodology reduces the unwanted noise artifacts present in the output images of DCT-based compressed signals. The method determines noise intensity in the region of each pixel of an image and filters each pixel corresponding to this noise intensity. This noise intensity includes ringing intensity and block noise intensity. Determining the noise intensity includes calculating a short range power spectrum and a long range power spectrum. A spectrum is identified as ringing if the short range power spectrum is negative and the long range long range power spectrum is positive. A spectrum is identified as block noise if the short range autocorrelation coefficient is positive and the long range autocorrelation coefficient is positive.

Abstract: A method of motion vector estimation for video encoding is provided that includes estimating a global motion vector for a sequence of macroblocks in a frame and estimating a motion vector for each macroblock in the sequence of macroblocks using the global motion vector to offset reference data for each macroblock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image enhancement. The method includes measuring local activity of at least a portion of the image, utilizing the measured local activity for determining gradient at least a portion of the image, utilizing the determined gradient to enhance edges in at least a portion of the image, and utilizing the measured local activity of at least a portion of the image to limit edge enhancement intensity value range and to prevent halo in at least a portion of the image.

Abstract: A proximity-based system for, and method of, reducing Gr-Gb gain imbalance and a digital camera incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a sensor configured to provide a input Bayer pattern array containing amplitudes corresponding to Gr and Gb cells and (2) a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to (2a) compute for at least some of the Gr and Gb cells: closeness measures for pluralities of adjacent, same-type cells, weights for pluralities of adjacent, opposite-type cells based on the closeness measures and weighted averages of the pluralities of the adjacent, opposite-type cells based on the weights and (2b) use the weighted averages to form an output Bayer pattern in which the Gr-Gb gain imbalance is reduced.

Abstract: A simple to implement sample rate conversion system consisting of an input/output data flow controller, interpolation coefficient generation, and output data flow control to generate the converted data stream. Sample rate conversion may be done at real time video rates, without restrictions on the conversion ratios.

Abstract: A new post-processing methodology reduces the unwanted noise artifacts present in the output images of DCT-based compressed signals. The method determines noise intensity in the region of each pixel of an image and filters each pixel corresponding to this noise intensity. This noise intensity includes ringing intensity and block noise intensity. Determining the noise intensity includes calculating a short range power spectrum and a long range power spectrum. A spectrum is identified as ringing if the short range power spectrum is negative and the long range long range power spectrum is positive. A spectrum is identified as block noise if the short range autocorrelation coefficient is positive and the long range autocorrelation coefficient is positive.

Abstract: A simple to implement sample rate conversion system consisting of an input/output data flow controller, interpolation coefficient generation, and output data flow control to generate the converted data stream. Sample rate conversion may be done at real time video rates, without restrictions on the conversion ratios.

Abstract: Nonlinear image filter defined by local edge intensity and slope and is useful noise and artifact removal during image processing; applications include digital still cameras and video cameras.

Abstract: Pre-process an image to be compressed with a DCT-based compression method by by filtering with a filter defined by local modified horizontal and vertical auto-correlations to suppress artifacts related to items such as edges between bright and dark planes.

Abstract: An optical switch comprising an array of voltage-controlled interferometric switching elements. Different configurations and modes of operation are possible, but in each configuration the elements are arranged relative to the input and output fibers, such that a beam of light is incident or outgoing at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of a corresponding element. This permits each element to be electronically controlled to either transmit or reflect light, such that the output beam exits the switch either parallel to or perpendicular to the input beam.

Abstract: A barrier layer (20, 62) for an integrated circuit structure is disclosed. The barrier layer (20, 62) is a refractory metal silicon compound, such as a refractor metal silicon nitride compound, formed in an amorphous state. The barrier layer (20, 62) has a relatively low composition ratio of silicon, and of nitrogen if present, to provide low resistivity in combination with the high diffusion barrier properties provided by the amorphous state of the film. A disclosed example of the barrier layer (20, 62) is a compound of tantalum, silicon, and nitrogen, formed by controlled co-sputtering of tantalum and silicon in a gas atmosphere including nitrogen and argon. The barrier layer (20) may be used to underlie copper metallization (22), or the barrier layer (62) may be part or all of a lower plate in a ferroelectric memory capacitor (70).

Abstract: An optical switch comprising an array of voltage-controlled interferometric switching elements. Different configurations and modes of operation are possible, but in each configuration the elements are arranged relative to the input and output fibers, such that a beam of light is incident or outgoing at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of a corresponding element. This permits each element to be electronically controlled to either transmit or reflect light, such that the output beam exits the switch either parallel to or perpendicular to the input beam.

Abstract: A barrier layer (20, 62) for an integrated circuit structure is disclosed. The barrier layer (20, 62) is a refractory metal silicon compound, such as a refractor metal silicon nitride compound, formed in an amorphous state. The barrier layer (20, 62) has a relatively low composition ratio of silicon, and of nitrogen if present, to provide low resistivity in combination with the high diffusion barrier properties provided by the amorphous state of the film. A disclosed example of the barrier layer (20, 62) is a compound of tantalum, silicon, and nitrogen, formed by controlled co-sputtering of tantalum and silicon in a gas atmosphere including nitrogen and argon. The barrier layer (20) may be used to underlie copper metallization (22), or the barrier layer (62) may be part or all of a lower plate in a ferroelectric memory capacitor (70).

Abstract: A thin film resistor (302) for use in inkjet printer heads that has high resistant and low absolute value of TCR.