Abstract: A non-frame-based motion detection method and apparatus for imagers requires only a few line buffers and little computation. The non-frame-based, low cost motion detection method and apparatus are well suited for “system-a-chip” (SOC) imager implementations.

Abstract: A device and method for providing an optical guide of a pixel to guide incoming light to/from a photo-conversion device of the pixel to improve the optical crosstalk immunity. The optical guide includes an optically reflecting barrier formed as a trench filled with a material which produces reflection. The trench fill material may have an index of refraction that is less than the index of refraction of the material used for the trench surrounding layers to provide a light reflective structure or the trench fill material may provide a reflection surface.

Abstract: An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization.

Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure is disclosed. The electronic device includes a hole disposed at least partially through the enclosure. The electronic device also includes a detector configured to provide at least one visual indication after being immersed in water. The detector may include a moisture-indicating portion and a light-permitting moisture-proof membrane. The detector may be disposed inside at least one of the enclosure and the hole such that at least a portion of the detector is visible through the hole from outside of the enclosure without dismantling or opening the electronic device. The distance between the light-permitting moisture-proof membrane and an opening of the hole in the enclosure may be less than the distance between the moisture-indicating portion and the opening of the hole.

Abstract: An arrangement for charging an electronic accessory (such as a wireless headset) using a docking station that obtains power from at least one of a power port and a data port of an attached electronic device (such as the pairing cellular phone). The docking station provides mechanical support and a convenient storage arrangement for the electronic accessory, as well as power conditioning. In another embodiment, the charging and storage functions for the electronic accessory are provided by a cigarette lighter plug employed to charge the electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an image sensor that includes a barrier region for isolating devices. The image sensor comprises a substrate and an array of pixel cells formed on the substrate. Each pixel cell comprises a photo-conversion device. The array comprises a first pixel cell having a first configuration, a second pixel cell having a second configuration, and at least one barrier region formed between the first and second pixel cells for capturing and removing charge. The barrier region comprises a charge accumulation region of a particular conductivity type in a substrate electrically connected to a voltage source terminal. The charge accumulation region accumulates charge and prevents charge transference from a pixel cell or peripheral circuitry on one side of the barrier region to a pixel cell on another side of the barrier region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing power consumption in portable electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, power management circuitry may operate the device in a low power mode (e.g., a HIBERNATION mode), but enables the device to quickly become fully operational in response to a power-ON event, despite having been in that low power mode. This may be accomplished by powering a processor engaging memory (e.g., SDRAM) while other circuitry are powered OFF. In another embodiment, the display may be driven by an application portion when operating in an ON mode, but may be driven by a carrier portion when the application is operating in a low power mode. In another embodiment, various discrete circuitry portions are selectively turned ON and OFF, depending, for example, on whether a particular discrete circuitry portion is idle or its processing functionality is not needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing which performs pixel defect correction and color demosaicing on pixel image data while held in a line buffer.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising a first conductive unit and a second conductive unit disposed such that a gap exists between the first component and the second component. The electronic device further includes one or more components disposed along the gap and configured to counteract one or more capacitance effects in the gap, wherein at least one of the first conductive unit and the second conductive unit represents a part of an antenna. By counteracting the capacitance effects in the gap, certain radiation attributes of the antenna, such as radiation efficiency, can be improved. The one or more components are also employed to counteract one or more capacitance effects in a slot of a conductive unit in an electronic device.

Abstract: A pixel cell with increased dynamic range is formed by providing a floating diffusion region having a variable capacitance, controlled by at least one gate having source and drain regions commonly connected to the floating diffusion region. The gate has an intrinsic capacitance which, when the gate is activated, is added to the capacitance of the floating diffusion region, providing a low conversion gain readout. When the gate is off, the floating diffusion region capacitance is minimized, providing a high conversion gain readout. The gate may also be selectively switched to mid-level. At mid-level, a mid-level conversion gain, which is between the high and low conversion gains, readout is provided, but the gate still provides some capacitance to prevent the floating diffusion region from saturating.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses using pixels with shared readout circuits are used to increase pixel fill factor and operation efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein may estimate the magnitude of relative motion between a scene and an image capture device used to capture the scene. Some embodiments may utilize discrete cosine transform and/or Sobel gradient techniques to identify one or more blocks of pixels in an originating calibration image frame. Matching blocks of pixels may be located in a successive calibration image frame. Motion vectors originating at one calibration frame and terminating at the other calibration frame may be calculated. The magnitude of relative motion derived thereby may be used to adjust image capture parameters associated with the image capture device, including exposure settings.

Abstract: An CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) imaging system include circuitry to compensate for different analog offset levels from the CMOS pixel array. More specifically, the compensation is performed in the analog (charge) domain. A digital correction value, which may be measured as part of the operation or testing of the CMOS APS system, is provided to a offset correction block circuit, to generate an analog electrical signal. The analog electrical signal is supplied to a sample-and-hold circuit including a charge amplifier. The signal read from the pixel array, after conditioning through an analog signal chain, is also supplied to the charge amplifier, which has a linear transfer function and outputs the compensated signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an image sensor that includes a barrier region for isolating devices. The image sensor comprises a substrate and an array of pixel cells formed on the substrate. Each pixel cell comprises a photo-conversion device. The array comprises a first pixel cell having a first configuration, a second pixel cell having a second configuration, and at least one barrier region formed between the first and second pixel cells for capturing and removing charge. The barrier region comprises a charge accumulation region of a particular conductivity type in a substrate electrically connected to a voltage source terminal. The charge accumulation region accumulates charge and prevents charge transference from a pixel cell or peripheral circuitry on one side of the barrier region to a pixel cell on another side of the barrier region.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for an imager that improve the quality of a captured image. The imager includes a pixel having a photosensor that generates charge in response to receiving electromagnetic radiation and a storage region that stores the generated charge. A protection region assists in keeping undesirable charge from reaching the storage region.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming openings in which a metal-containing structure is formed over a region of a semiconductor substrate. A patterned metal-containing material is formed over the metal-containing structure, with the metal-containing material having a gap extending therethrough. An entirety of the metal-containing structure is removed through the gap to leave an opening over the region of the semiconductor substrate. The region of the semiconductor substrate may comprise CMOS sensors, and one or both of filter material and microlens material may be formed within the opening.

Abstract: Embodiments of an imaging system and method for generating video data with edge-aware interpolation are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, an edge-aware demosaicing process is performed on image sensor data to generate pixel-edge data, and video output data may be generated by adding the pixel-averaged data to difference data weighted by a correction factor. The difference data represents a difference between pixel-averaged data and the pixel-edge data. The correction factor may be proportional to an amount of edge content in the image sensor data.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an output driver having a first circuit to provide a plurality of first parallel circuit paths between an output node and a first supply node, a second circuit to provide a plurality of second parallel circuit paths between the output node and a second supply node, and a control circuit responsive to a voltage at the output node to vary a value of a current in the plurality of first parallel circuit paths and a value of a second current in the plurality of second parallel circuit paths to control a signal shape of the output signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for improving (i.e., reducing) the settling time of an output signal read from a photo sensor and improving the PSRR of the supply voltage are disclosed, wherein a detected charge in a pixel is converted to a voltage and drives a source follower transistor. A bias transistor is coupled in series with the source follower transistor and includes an output therebetween. The bias transistor is driven to source a reduced current when the voltage results from a readout of a reset value of the pixel and the bias transistor is driven to source an enhanced current when the voltage results from a readout of a sensed signal value.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for image sensors are disclosed that include a multi-mode circuit that can be configured for operating as an imaging pixel and a memory. The multi-mode circuit includes a photo-detector for collecting electrons generated by radiation impinging on the photo-detector. A transfer gate is configured for transferring the collected electrons from the photo-detector to a floating diffusion node when the transfer gate is enabled. A write circuit receives and stores a multi-value voltage on the floating diffusion node and a read circuit is configured for reading a state of the floating diffusion node. The state of the floating diffusion node corresponds to the amount of transferred electrons in an image mode or the multi-value voltage in a memory mode. The semiconductor image sensor may be included in as part of an imaging system that includes a memory for storing a digital representation of an image.