Abstract: A sensing device is provided with an image sensor for capturing images of coded data disposed on a surface, a framestore for storing frames of the captured image as image data, subsampling means for subsampling the stored image date to generate subsampled image data, and an image processor for processing the subsampled image data to generate interaction data based on the sensed coded data and indicative of interaction of the sensing device with the surface. The image processor is integrated on a monolithic integrated circuit, the monolithic integrated circuit including a first subsampled framestore for storing the subsampled image data based on image data from the framestore.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector, a storage node with first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, a reset transistor disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal based on a voltage at the first terminal. First the reset signal is applied, followed by the transfer signal. Next, a compensation signal is applied at the second terminal of the storage node. The compensation signal increases the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.

Abstract: A method of using a mobile device to determine movement, relative to the mobile device, of a print medium being printed on by the mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device includes a printer. The mobile device further includes a sensor in a media feed path of the printer and a processing means. A surface of the print medium bears coded data indicative of a plurality of locations on the surface. The method uses the sensor to sense the coded data at a plurality of locations on the surface. The sensed coded data is decoded in order to determine the locations, and the movement of the print medium relative to sensor is determined from the locations.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed which includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, a storage node, transfer and reset transistors and an output circuit. The storage node has first and second node terminals. The second node terminal is connected to a compensation signal during a read period of the photodetection circuit. The transfer transistor is disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector and is for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector during an integration period upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector, a storage node with first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, a reset transistor disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal based on a voltage at the first terminal. First the reset signal is applied, followed by the transfer signal. Next, a compensation signal is applied at the second terminal of the storage node. The compensation signal increases the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.

Abstract: A method of using a mobile device to determine movement, relative to the mobile device, of a print medium being printed on by the mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device includes a printer. The mobile device further includes a sensor in a media feed path of the printer and a processing means. A surface of the print medium bears coded data indicative of a plurality of locations on the surface. The method uses the sensor to sense the coded data at a plurality of locations on the surface. The sensed coded data is decoded in order to determine the locations, and the movement of the print medium relative to sensor is determined from the locations.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, a storage node having first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor, disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector, for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector, a reset transistor, disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node, for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal during a read period of the photodetecting circuit, the output signal being at least partially based on a voltage at the first terminal.

Abstract: A method of using a mobile device to determine movement, relative to the mobile device, of a print medium configured to be printed on by the mobile device in a print direction, the mobile device including a printer, a first sensor and processing means, the print medium comprising a substrate defining first and second opposite faces, the first face bearing coded data, the method comprising the steps of: using the first sensor to sense at least some of the coded data from the print medium; determining movement of the print medium relative to sensor, based on the coded data sensed by the first sensor.

Abstract: A sensing device is provided with an image sensor for capturing images of coded data disposed on a surface, a framestore for storing frames of the captured image as image data, subsampling means for subsampling the stored image date to generate subsampled image data, and an image processor for processing the subsampled image data to generate interaction data based on the sensed coded data and indicative of interaction of the sensing device with the surface. The image processor is integrated on a monolithic integrated circuit, the monolithic integrated circuit including a first subsampled framestore for storing the subsampled image data based on image data from the framestore.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed which includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, astorage node, transfer and reset transistors and an output circuit. The storage node has first and second node terminals. The second node terminal is connected to a compensation signal during a read period of the photodetection circuit. The transfer transistor is disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector and is for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector during an integration period upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a sensing device that reads coded data off of a surface. Interaction data is generated from the read coded data and the interaction data is processed in accordance with the image portion of the image that is extracted from an image sensor.

Abstract: A monolithic image sensing device, including an image sensor for sensing image data; timing circuitry for generating at least one internal timing signal, the image sensor being responsive to at least one of the internal timing signals to at least commence sensing of the image data; and at least one external timing signal; at least one external pin for supplying the at least one external timing signal to at least one peripheral device.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, a storage node having first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor, disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector, for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector, a reset transistor, disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node, for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal during a read period of the photodetecting circuit, the output signal being at least partially based on a voltage at the first terminal.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit comprising a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light; a storage node having first and second node terminals, the first node terminal being connected to the photodetector to receive the signal such that charge stored in the node changes during an integration period of the photodetecting circuit; and an output circuit for generating an output signal during a read period of the photodetecting circuit, the output signal being at least partially based on a voltage at the first terminal; the photodetecting circuit being configured to receive a reset signal; integrate charge in the storage node during an integration period following receipt of the reset signal; and receive a compensation signal at the second terminal of the storage node at least during the read period, the compensation signal increasing the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning coded data indicative of a plurality of locations disposed on a surface is provided. The device generates interaction data based on the sensed coded data. The scanning device comprises a laser source for exposing a coded data portion, a photodetector, an analog to digital converter, a framestore, an image processor and a host processor.

Abstract: A monolithic image sensing device including an image processor, the integrated circuit being configured to operate in a system having a host processor, the image processor being configured to receive, from the host processor, a request for access to a next available frame of image data from a framestore; in the event the frame of image data is available, sending a message to the host processor indicative of the image data's availability; and in the event the frame of image data is not available, waiting until it is available and then sending a message to the host processor indicative of the image data's availability.

Abstract: A monolithic image sensing device, including an image sensor for sensing image data; timing circuitry for generating at least one internal timing signal, the image sensor being responsive to at least one of the internal timing signals to at least commence sensing of the image data; and at least one external timing signal; at least one external pin for supplying the at least one external timing signal to at least one peripheral device.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit for use in a system having a host processor, the integrated circuit including at least one input pin for receiving command data from the host processor; at least one output pin for transmitting processed image data to the host processor in response to the command data; and an image processor configured to generate the processed image data by performing an image-processing function on image data captured by an image sensor.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit comprising an image sensor for sensing image information; at least one analog to digital converter for converting analog signals corresponding to the image information into digital image data; and an image processor, the image processor including a range expansion circuit for range expanding the digital image data.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit comprising a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light; a storage node having first and second node terminals, the first node terminal being connected to the photodetector to receive the signal such that charge stored in the node changes during an integration period of the photodetecting circuit; and an output circuit for generating an output signal during a read period of the photodetecting circuit, the output signal being at least partially based on a voltage at the first terminal; the photodetecting circuit being configured to receive a reset signal; integrate charge in the storage node during an integration period following receipt of the reset signal; and receive a compensation signal at the second terminal of the storage node at least during the read period, the compensation signal increasing the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.