Abstract: A graphics processing unit (GPU) efficiently performs 3-dimensional (3-D) clipping using processing units used for other graphics functions. The GPU includes first and second hardware units and at least one buffer. The first hardware unit performs 3-D clipping of primitives using a first processing unit used for a first graphics function, e.g., an ALU used for triangle setup, depth gradient setup, etc. The first hardware unit may perform 3-D clipping by (a) computing clip codes for each vertex of each primitive, (b) determining whether to pass, discard or clip each primitive based on the clip codes for all vertices of the primitive, and (c) clipping each primitive to be clipped against clipping planes. The second hardware unit computes attribute component values for new vertices resulting from the 3-D clipping, e.g., using an ALU used for attribute gradient setup, attribute interpolation, etc. The buffer(s) store intermediate results of the 3-D clipping.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising a first image sensor, a second image sensor configured to change position with respect to the first image sensor, a controller configured to control the position of the second image sensor, and an image processing module configured to process and combine images captured by the first and second image sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for down scaling image data is disclosed. One method controls a phase for an M/N filter, where N represents a number of input samples, and M represents a number of output samples. N is greater than M. Another method may switch between an M/N filter and a phase-controlled M/N filter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for image processing are described in which pixels of an image are classified according to color. In some systems, an exposure control operation is performed according to the pixel classifications. In some cases, the pixels are classified according to a color selected from among at least two colors. Systems, methods and apparatuses are also disclosed wherein luminance values are changed according to the exposure control operation.

Abstract: Caching techniques for storing instructions, constant values, and other types of data for multiple software programs are described. A cache provides storage for multiple programs and is partitioned into multiple tiles. Each tile is assignable to one program. Each program may be assigned any number of tiles based on the program's cache usage, the available tiles, and/or other factors. A cache controller identifies the tiles assigned to the programs and generates cache addresses for accessing the cache. The cache may be partitioned into physical tiles. The cache controller may assign logical tiles to the programs and may map the logical tiles to the physical tiles within the cache. The use of logical and physical tiles may simplify assignment and management of the tiles.

Abstract: The registration of images comprising segmenting an image in a frame into a set of sectors which forms a circle. Generating a plurality of sets of projections in a base frame, wherein each set of projections is generated from any sector amongst the set of sectors from the base frame. Also generating a plurality of sets of projections in a movement frame, wherein each set of projections is generated from any sector amongst the set of sectors from the movement frame. Then summing each set of projections, from any sector amongst the set of sectors from the base frame and summing each set of projections from any sector amongst the set of sectors from the movement frame. Furthermore, comparing a set of each sum of projections from the base frame with a set of each sum of projections from the movement frame, and generating a rotation angle estimate to add to the base frame.

Abstract: When the binding of a mobile station (MS) in a home agent (HA) expires, the HA generates an identifier from the MS's IMSI. The HA maintains a binding between the home address (HoA) and a special care of address (MAP-CoA), where the host ID of MAP-CoA is the identifier, and where the network ID of MAP-CoA is a special code. When a packet destined for the HoA is received at the HA, the HA responds by communicating the MAP-CoA to the PDSN that serves the special code. The PDSN recovers the IMSI from the host ID of the MAP-CoA, and uses the IMSI to page the MS. The MS responds by setting up a call, obtaining a new care of address, and then binding the new care of address with its HoA in the HA. Advantageously, packets can be sent to a dormant MS at its HoA without out-of-band signaling.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system, apparatus and method that allow a wireless communication device to intelligently search for and select a communication cell based on a system identifier (SID) and network identifier (NID) order of preference rather than just pilot signal strength. Generally, a mobile device scans a frequency channel associated with the highest preferred SID/NID for pilot signals at different PN offsets. The cell associated with the strongest pilot signal detected is queried to determine whether it belongs to the SID/NID sought. If the selected PN offset belongs to a cell associated with the SID/NID sought then it is used for communications. Otherwise, the SID/NID identification process is repeated for the next strongest PN offset detected on the same frequency channel. If no pilot signals meeting these criteria are found in the frequency channel, the next highest preferred SID/NID is selected and the process is repeated.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of signal processing in which each of a set of individual estimates of a transmitted symbol is added to a combined symbol estimate based on a relation between a signal quality value corresponding to the individual estimate and a threshold value, where the threshold value is based on a maximum among the signal quality values.

Abstract: A digital output driver includes a pre-driver and a driver that may be implemented with thin-oxide FETs. The pre-driver generates first and second digital signals based on a digital input signal. The first digital signal has a first voltage range determined by a first (e.g., pad) supply voltage and an intermediate voltage. The second digital signal has a second voltage range determined by a second (e.g., core) supply voltage and circuit ground. The driver receives the first and second digital signals and provides a digital output signal having a third voltage range determined by the first supply voltage and circuit ground. The pre-driver may include a latch and a latch driver. The latch stores the current logic value for the digital input signal. The latch driver writes the logic value to the latch. The latch driver is enabled for a short time duration to write the logic value and is turned off afterward.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to acquire a gated pilot signal by searching for a first gated pilot signal, deriving timing information from the search for the first gated pilot signal, and searching for a second gated pilot signal using the timing information. This can be implemented in a variety of fashions including a receiver with a searcher configured to generate a bit sequence, a correlator configured to correlate a received signal with the bit sequence, and a processor configured to detect a first gated pilot signal as a function of the correlation, derive timing information from the first gated pilot signal, and detect a second gated pilot signal by using the timing information to control the bit sequence generated by the searcher.

Abstract: Calibrating a filter is disclosed. The filter is reconfigured as an oscillator during calibration. Switches and/or other implementations of reconfiguring a filter are used to reconfigure the negative feedback loop of the filter to a positive feedback loop. The oscillation parameters are then measured to adjust the components of the filter to achieve an oscillation that corresponds to a desired filter characteristic.

Abstract: A system, method and mobile unit to sense objects and/or text and retrieve related images, text or translations. The system may allow users to instantly access information about an object or text with a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, pager, personal digital assistant (PDA) or lap top computer.

Abstract: In a method for achieving higher S/N, one or more signals are received and processed to provide one or more streams of samples. In a first processing scheme, the sample stream(s) are equalized within an equalizer to generate symbol estimates, which may be subsequently processed (e.g., despread and decovered) to provide a first stream of recovered symbols. Each sample stream is filtered with a set of coefficients and may be scaled with a scaling factor. The scaled samples for all streams are then combined to generate the symbol estimates. The sample stream(s) may also be processed by a second processing scheme with one or more rake receivers to provide a second stream of recovered symbols. The signal quality for each processing scheme can be estimated and used to select either the first or second processing scheme.

Abstract: A differential current mode gain stage and methods of using the same are provided. The gain stage may comprise a plurality of transistors. The gain stage is configured to keep at least one transistor of the plurality of transistors out of saturation mode while operating with a supply voltage of less than two base-emitter voltages, receiving an input signal, generating a first output signal if the input signal comprises a common mode signal, and generating a second output signal if the input signal comprises a differential signal, the second output signal having a larger amplitude than the first output signal.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned silicide (salicide) with a screening oxide. The method improves transistor speed by lowering the leakage current in the source and drain areas and lowering the polysilicon sheet resistance of the gate. As a result of one embodiment of the present method, a silicide is formed over the gate area which is advantageously about two to three times thicker than silicide formations over the source and drain areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a self-aligned silicide (salicide) by siliciding a gate area prior to siliciding a source and drain area and/or spacer formation. The method improves transistor speed by lowering the leakage current in the source and drain areas and lowering the polysilicon sheet resistance of the gate. As a result of one embodiment of the present method, a silicide is formed over the gate area that is advantageously thicker than silicide formations over the source and drain areas.

Abstract: Characterization of plasma-induced damage in semiconductor manufacturing has long been considered unimportant because the damage had no discernable effect on circuit performance. With increasing transistor counts on an integrated circuit, the damage-induced parasitics are becoming increasingly important. Electrical characterization of such effects provides a far more sensitive method for determining the extent of damage and the effectiveness of efforts to repair the damage. A measurement of diode leakage current through a plasma-etch effect test diode which is formed completely within an active device region, removed from field oxide regions quantifies the extent of damage created by a plasma and the effectiveness of a repair technique that may be applied to the process.

Abstract: Characterization of plasma-induced damage in semiconductor manufacturing has long been considered unimportant because the damage had no discernible effect on circuit performance. With increasing transistor counts on an integrated circuit, the damage-induced parasitics are becoming increasingly important. Electrical characterization of such effects provides a far more sensitive method for determining the extent of damage and the effectiveness of efforts to repair the damage. A measurement of diode leakage current through a plasma-etch effect test diode which is formed completely within an active device region, removed from field oxide regions quantifies the extent of damage created by a plasma and the effectiveness of a repair technique that may be applied to the process.