Abstract: The present invention relates a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor capable of improving dynamic range by using an additional driver transistor. The CMOS image sensor according to the present invention has a pixel array which has a plurality of unit pixels each of which includes a photodiode and a fist transistor to act as a source follower buffer amplifier to amplify photogenerated charges accumulated in the photodiode. Also, the CMOS image sensor includes a second transistor for a buffer amplifier to amplify and output a gate input voltage in the unit pixel, wherein an output signal of the first transistor is applied to a gate of the second.

Abstract: Disclosed is a backside illuminated image sensor including a light receiving element formed in a first substrate, an interlayer insulation layer formed on the first substrate including the light receiving element, a via hole formed through the interlayer insulation layer and the first substrate while being spaced apart from the light receiving element, a spacer formed on an inner sidewall of the via hole, an alignment key to fill the via hole, interconnection layers formed on the interlayer insulation layer in a multilayer structure in which a backside of a lowermost layer of the interconnection layers is connected to the alignment key, a passivation layer covering the interconnection layers, a pad locally formed on a backside of the first substrate and connected to a backside of the alignment key, and a color filter and a microlens formed on the backside of the first substrate corresponding to the light receiving element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for multi-carrier communication with variable channel bandwidth are disclosed, where the time frame structure and the OFDM symbol structure are invariant and the frequency-domain signal structure is flexible. In one embodiment, a mobile station, upon entering a geographic area, uses a core-band to initiate communication and obtain essential information and subsequently switches to full operating bandwidth of the area for the remainder of the communication. If the mobile station operates in a wide range of bandwidths, the mobile station divides the full range into sub-ranges and adjusts its sampling frequency and its FFT size in each sub-range.

Abstract: In a multicarrier communication system having a plurality of subchannels, a method and apparatus for supporting at least two applications. For example, the method includes associating at least a first application in a set of currently active applications with a first latency path, allocating at least one subchannel to the first latency path, and in response to a change in the set of currently active applications, allocating the at least one subchannel to a second latency path associated with a second application in the set of currently active applications and different from the first latency path.

Abstract: Various hardware and software configurations are described herein which provide improved security and control over protected data. In some embodiments, a computer includes a main motherboard card coupled to all input/output devices connected to the computer, and a trusted operating system operates on the main motherboard which includes an access control module for controlling access to the protected data in accordance with rules. The trusted operating system stores the protected data in an unprotected form only on the memory devices on the main motherboard. The computer may also have a computer card coupled to the main motherboard via a PCI bus, on which is operating a guest operating system session for handling requests for data from software applications on the computer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and configured storage media are provided for flexible data mirroring. In particular, the invention provides many-to-one data mirroring, including mirroring from local servers running the same or different operating systems and/or file systems at two or more geographically dispersed locations. The invention also provides one-to-many data mirroring, mirroring with or without a dedicated private telecommunications link, and mirroring with or without a dedicated server or another server at the destination(s) to assist the remote mirroring unit(s). In addition, the invention provides flexibility by permitting the use of various combinations of one or more external storage units and/or RAID units to hold mirrored data. Spoofing, SCSI and other bus emulations, and further tools and techniques are used in various embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a color filter, an over-coating layer formed on the color filter, and a medium layer formed on the over-coating layer, wherein the medium layer is configured with at least two medium layers of which refractive indices are different from each other.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a drive transistor as a voltage buffer, which can suppress generation of secondary electrons from a channel of the drive transistor to prevent generation of image defects caused by dark current. The transistor includes a gate electrode formed on a substrate, source and drain regions formed in the substrate exposed to both sides of the gate electrode, respectively, and an electric field attenuation region formed on the drain region and partially overlapping the gate electrode.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an epi-layer of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate, a photodiode formed in the epi-layer, and a first doping region of a second conductivity type formed under the photodiode to separate the first doping region from the photodiode.

Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The CMOS image sensor includes: a first conductive type substrate including a trench; a channel stop layer formed by using a first conductive type epitaxial layer over an inner surface of the trench; a device isolation layer formed on the channel stop layer to fill the trench; a second conductive type photodiode formed in a portion of the substrate in one side of the channel stop layer; and a transfer gate structure formed on the substrate adjacent to the photodiode to transfer photo-electrons generated from the photodiode.

Abstract: A reset transistor includes a floating diffusion region for detecting a charge, a junction region for draining the charge, a gate for controlling a transfer of the charge from the floating diffusion region to the junction region upon receipt of a reset signal, and a potential well incorporated underneath the gate.

Abstract: A piecewise linear processing device applies different amplification rates according to a general environment and a low luminance environment where much noise exists. The piecewise linear processing device includes a knee point storing unit configured to store a user's default setting value and low luminance setting value; a luminance detecting unit configured to detect a noisy environment to output a current luminance information signal and a maximum luminance information signal; an adaptive knee point supply unit configured to receive the default setting value, the low luminance setting value, the current luminance information signal, and the maximum luminance information signal to supply a adjusted adaptive knee point according to a degree of noise; and a piecewise linear processing unit configured to apply a section amplification rate to an input data on the basis of a region corresponding to the adaptive knee point.

Abstract: A pixel and a pixel array of an image sensor device of the present invention have small pixel sizes by resetting sensed charge using a diode built vertically above a substrate. The pixel and the pixel array also have low noise performance by using a JFET as a source follower transistor for sensing charge. The pixel includes a floating diffusion node configured to sense photo-generated charge, a reset diode configured to reset the floating diffusion node in response to a reset signal, and a junction field effect transistor configured to output a signal having an output voltage level corresponding to a charge level of the floating diffusion node.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a photodiode, a plurality of transistors for transferring charges accumulated at the photodiode to one column line, and a voltage dropping element connected to a gate electrode of at least one transistor among the plurality of transistors for expanding a saturation region of the transistor by dropping down a gate voltage inputted to the gate electrode of the at least one transistor.

Abstract: Various hardware and software configurations are described herein which provide improved security and control over protected data. In some embodiments, a computer includes a main motherboard card coupled to all input/output devices connected to the computer, and a trusted operating system operates on the main motherboard which includes an access control module for controlling access to the protected data in accordance with rules. The trusted operating system stores the protected data in an unprotected form only on the memory devices on the main motherboard. The computer may also have a computer card coupled to the main motherboard via a PCI bus, on which is operating a guest operating system session for handling requests for data from software applications on the computer.

Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor includes a light receiving element disposed in a first substrate, an interlayer insulation layer disposed on the first substrate having the light receiving element, an align key spaced apart from the light receiving element and passing through the interlayer insulation layer and the first substrate, a plurality of interconnection layers disposed on the interlayer insulation layer in a multi-layered structure, wherein the backside of the lowermost interconnection layer is connected to the align key, a passivation layer covering the interconnection layers, a pad locally disposed on the backside of the first substrate and connected to the backside of the align key, a light anti-scattering layer disposed on the backside of the substrate having the pad, and a color filter and a microlens disposed on the light anti-scattering layer to face the light receiving element.

Abstract: Data is distributed among the channels of an asynchronous data subscriber loop (ADSL) communications system in accordance with an adaptive algorithm which from time to time measures the signal to noise ratio of the various channels and finds a margin for each channel dependent on achievement (where possible) of a given bit error rate and a desired data transmission rate. The margin distribution is achieved by augmenting the constellation signal to noise ratio to enhance computational efficiency and allow redetermination of bit allocation tables during transmission as necessary. Pairs of bit allocation tables are maintained at the transmitter and receiver and one table of each pair at the transmitter and receiver is updated while the other pair is in use for controlling communication.

Abstract: An image sensor for a capsule type endoscope in which an image data is processed in frame units, the image sensor having analog and digital circuits, the image sensor includes a frame-puncturing unit for interrupting a power supply to the analog circuit at a predetermined frame among a plurality of frames. The image sensor may include a start delay unit for delaying a power supply to the analog circuit for a desired time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and configured storage media are provided for flexible data mirroring. In particular, the invention provides many-to-one data mirroring, including mirroring from local servers running the same or different operating systems and/or file systems at two or more geographically dispersed locations. The invention also provides one-to-many data mirroring, mirroring with or without a dedicated private telecommunications link, and mirroring with or without a dedicated server or another server at the destination(s) to assist the remote mirroring unit(s). In addition, the invention provides flexibility by permitting the use of various combinations of one or more external storage units and/or RAID units to hold mirrored data. Spoofing, SCSI and other bus emulations, and further tools and techniques are used in various embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Data communications between devices are selectively blocked and resurrected based on error notifications. Data communications from one or more source devices to one or more intended destination devices are selectively blocked based on content of the data communications. The blocked data communications are stored in a database. A blocked data communication is retrieved from the database in response to an error notification from one of the source devices and/or from one of the destination devices. The retrieved data communication is then sent to the intended destination device.