Abstract: A test apparatus and method for testing the zoom of a miniature digital camera module is presented. A combination of focus targets are illuminated by different colors of light and simultaneously viewed by the digital camera module. The focus targets range from a far target to a close target and are positioned in the apparatus accordingly. The zoom capability of the camera can be either electrical or manual, and the test apparatus can be adapted to either zoom configurations allowing the zoom of the camera lens to be controlled by a tester. The brightness of the image of the focus targets captured by the digital camera is monitored to determine whether the focus of the camera is maintained over the range of zoom.

Abstract: A pixel circuit with a dual gate PMOS is formed by forming two P+ regions in an N? well. The N? well is in a P? type substrate. The two P+ regions form the source and drain of a PMOS transistor. The PMOS transistors formed within the N? well will not affect the collection of the photo-generated charge as long as the source and drain potentials of the PMOS transistors are set at a lower potential than the N? well potential so that they remain reverse biased with respect to the N? well. One of the P+ regions used to form the source and drain regions can be used to reset the pixel after it has been read in preparation for the next cycle of accumulating photo-generated charge. The N? well forms a second gate for the dual gate PMOS transistor since the potential of the N? well 12 affects the conductivity of the channel of the PMOS transistor. The addition of two NMOS transistors enables the readout signal to be stored at the gate of one of the NMOS transistors thereby making a snapshot imager possible.

Abstract: A new multiple imager array device is achieved. The device comprises, first, a bi-directional bus. An array of imagers is arranged in n rows and m columns. The n and m are positive integers. Each imager is connected to the bi-directional bus. A line of bits of any imager is accessible by a line address. Each imager has a Vmode input and an output enable input. The Vmode input and the output enable input must be enabled to allow accessing. A first multiplexer has an input and a plurality of outputs. The input is connected to a column counter. Each output is connected to the output enable input of one of the imagers. A second-multiplexer has an input and a plurality of outputs. The input is connected to a row counter. Each output is connected to the Vmode input of each imager in one of the rows.

Abstract: A circuit and method for reducing noise in video imagers which takes advantage of the fact that the same image information is present in the drain current in a reset transistor used to reset a photodiode in a pixel as is present in the readout current. The noise is reduced by passing the multiplexed output voltage from the source follower output transistor in an APS imager system through a high pass filter to reduce the low frequency noise from the source follower. The drain current in the reset transistor used to reset the APS is passed through a low pass filter. The low pass filter output and the high pass filter output are then combined. Since the drain current in the reset transistor contains the same image information as the voltage output of the source follower output transistor the image information can be obtained by combining the output of the low pass filter and the output of the high pass filter.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an image based document processing and information management system and apparatus. It provides a more efficient method and apparatus for handling large volumes of form based business transactions using a digital image-based system for the capture, identification and processing of images, statistics and business data. The system converts documents, such as forms and supporting pages, into digital data which can be used to update computer records and to manage and support the adjudicative processing of business transactions by human operators at computer terminals.

Abstract: A method and related compositions for preparing a substrate for printing are described. The invention comprises coating a non-paper substrate with an adherent base coat and a hydrophilic top coat. The base coat adheres to the substrate and the top coat, which is applied to the base coat and adheres to it, provides an ink receptive surface on which ink pigment can be deposited. A base coating composition comprises a type-A gelatin and an acrylic polymer. A top coating composition comprises a type-A or type-B gelatin and a hydrophilic organic polymer. A base- and top-coated substrate of the invention is particularly suited for use with ink-jet printers that employ aqueous-based inks. Printing substrates include such materials as canvas, leather, polymeric films and sheets, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an image based document processing and information management system and apparatus. It provides a more efficient method and apparatus for handling large volumes of form based business transactions using a digital image-based system for the capture, identification and processing of images, statistics and business data. The system converts documents, such as forms and supporting pages, into digital data which can be used to update computer records and to manage and support the adjudicative processing of business transactions by human operators at computer terminals.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an image based document processing and information management system and apparatus. It provides a more efficient method and apparatus for handling large volumes of form based business transactions using a digital image-based system for the capture, identification and processing of images, statistics and business data. The system converts documents, such as forms and supporting pages, into digital data which can be used to update computer records and to manage and support the adjudicative processing of business transactions by human operators at computer terminals.