Abstract: A differential input flash analog-to-digital converter in which an array of comparators is connected to compare reference signals within a parabolic distribution of such signals generated by the application of a differential input signal across an impedance network. Preferably, the comparator array comprises at least two pluralities of comparators, the first plurality of comparators comparing pairs of reference nodes separated by a first step size, and the second plurality of comparators comparing pairs of reference nodes separated by a second step size. Even more preferably, the comparator array further comprises a third plurality of comparators comparing pairs of reference nodes separated by a third step size, but only where necessary to maximize the available comparison range of the converter. The flash converter according to the invention provides increased gain from input without accumulation of comparator input currents and without sacrificing the number of actual comparisons of reference signals.

Abstract: A circuit is provided to correct a sample rate by way of time domain interpolation having a first circuit loop having an up/down counter configured to receive an input signal and a feedback signal and an adder configured to receive the output signal from the up/down counter and to output a carry output as the feedback signal to the up/down counter and a second circuit loop configured to transmit a sum output from the adder to a modulator and to feed back an output signal from the modulator to an input of the adder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to timeshifting of program content. In particular, it relates to using an external memory element, thereby reducing the cost of the device that uses timeshifting.

Abstract: An electronic imaging device includes a photosensor having a plurality of photodetectors in an array structure, and a processor in signal communication with the photodetectors. The processor is operable to cross-talk adjust a signal from a photodetector based upon the value of the signal from that photodetector and signals from photodetectors adjoining that photodetector.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for performing a spread spectrum clock generation, where the system includes self-adjusting delay line configured to spread the spectrum of a fixed circuit using a fixed clock frequency and a delay circuit configured to generate an adjustment signal to the delay line by adding or subtracting an addition delay per cycle, therefore causing a shift in the output clock frequency, wherein the amount of shift is proportional to the rate of addition or subtraction of delay.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing two asymmetric duty cycle clock phases as outputs, where the duration of the active phase may be varied to generate clock signal having an asymmetric duty cycle. A circuit configured according to the invention includes a monostable clock generator configured to produce an asymmetric duty cycle clock phase from a reference clock input, a delayed phase generator configured to produce two clock phases whose falling edges are delayed with respect to the input signals, and a second phase generator configured to produce a second asymmetric duty cycle clock phase. The phase may be programmable by including a variable resistor network that can be varied in response to control signals.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided such as a programmable rise/fall time control circuit, for example, that delivers a continuous and near linear rising/falling slope of a control signal, with programmability that can be implemented in future CMOS image sensor devices. This device includes a programmability block for reset or transfer gate signals. The programmability block includes two inputs: an input bias current and a signal from the control bits. The programmability block further includes two similar internal circuit blocks, one for generating a fall time control signal, and one for generating a rise time control signal. Additionally the programmability block includes two outputs; a fall time control signal, and a rise time control signal. The device further includes a reset or transfer gate buffer configured as an inverter. The reset or transfer gate buffer includes three input signals: The fall time control signal and rise time control signal from the programmability block, and an INT Reset signal.

Abstract: A system and related method are provided for producing a reference bias current that varies within a limited threshold from its nominal value based on band gap voltage, and that generates the bias current substantially independent from process and temperature. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process dependant voltage generator, a temperature independent voltage generator, and a voltage to current converter receiving inputs from bandgap voltage generator and a temperature independent voltage generator to generate a bias current that is substantially independent from process and temperature.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for implementing digital baseband separation of composite video signals with reduced memory requirements. The method and device require that only the composite signal be stored in a large delay element. Multiple quadrature demodulators are employed to generate multiple delayed complex baseband signals. Therefore, no large complex baseband delay element is required.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating accurate coefficients in a binary rate multiplier by signaling an enabling circuit to generate an enabling signal to the binary rate multiplier such that the average effect of the factored output signal corresponds to a signal multiplied by a predetermined coefficient value; where the system multiplies a signal by a plurality of factors in response to the enabling signal, where the smallest exponent of two is determined that is greater than the factor desired; and the desired factor is divided by the smallest exponent to generate a resulting fraction that is the duty cycle of the enabling signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital-to-analog conversion. In particular, it has application to conversion of pulse code modulated signals, such as used in CDs and DVDs, to a pulse width modulated or analog signal.

Abstract: A method for noise removal filtering is provided. The method includes selecting a characteristic of a test pixel, such as brightness, and comparing the brightness of the test pixel to the brightness of an adjacent pixel. The noise removal filtering is terminated if the test pixel brightness is equal to the adjacent pixel brightness, such that it can be determined that the test pixel has not been corrupted with noise data.

Abstract: A ring oscillator having an odd number of active elements connected in series, where the signal output of one active element is connected to the signal input of the next active element to form a closed ring of active elements. Each active element has a power supply input and a ground connection, a signal input and a signal output, an inverter sub-element having a pair of current mirrors, and a capacitor controlled bias sub-element.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a signal generator for generating an oscillating signal and a second element utilizing the oscillating signal. The signal generator is a ring oscillator having an odd number of active elements connected in series, where the signal output of one active element is connected to the signal input of the next active element to form a closed ring of active elements. Each active element has a power supply input and a ground connection, a signal input and a signal output, an inverter sub-element having a pair of current mirrors, and a capacitor controlled bias sub-element.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method is provided for digitally controlling the volume of an audio signal having a series of arithmetic units configured with combinatorial logic to operate in response to control signals to produce a digital output signal amplified in a predetermined manner to digitally control the volume.

Abstract: To encode an unencoded block of a frame, a search window is defined within the frame. Each pixel disposed within the search window and disposed in the unencoded portion of the frame that is assigned a value. A difference is computed between the unencoded block and each possible block within the search window. The block having the smallest difference, together with this difference are used to encode the unencoded block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-bit to pulse width modulated signal conversion, with extensions to digital-to-analog conversion. In particular, it has application to conversion of pulse code modulated signals, such as used in CDs and DVDs, to audio output.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device that reduces reverse bias junction leakage in a photodiode by using a junction isolation region to isolate the photodiode from a trench isolation region. The improved semiconductor device improves image quality for different applications such as stand-alone digital cameras and digital cameras embedded in other imaging devices such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device that reduces reverse bias junction leakage in a photodiode by using a junction isolation region to isolate the photodiode from a trench isolation region. The improved semiconductor device improves image quality for different applications such as stand-alone digital cameras and digital cameras embedded in other imaging devices such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants.

Abstract: An image sensor acquires a preparatory image that is lighted for a predetermined preparatory duration by a strobe. The preparatory image data corresponding to the preparatory image from the image sensor is processed and an average preparatory image luminance is determined based on the preparatory image data and weighting at least a subset of the preparatory image data. A supplemental strobe duration is generated based on the average preparatory image luminance and luminance weightings. The electronic image sensor may be activated to acquire an image with supplemental light provided by the supplemental strobe duration.