Abstract: A low Z-height projection system includes a display panel for displaying a grating pattern that has gratings extended in a first direction. A projection lens system is also included and projects the grating pattern displayed on the display panel onto a surface. The projection lens system is a truncated circular lens system that has a first lens width in the first direction and a second lens width in a second direction. The first lens width is less than the second lens width. The first and second directions are orthogonal.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for generating a random number. In an embodiment, a first signal is received from a first cell including a first source follower transistor. Circuit logic detects for a pulse of the first signal and, in response to the pulse, generates a signal indicating detection of a first random telegraph noise event in the first source follower transistor. In another embodiment, a first count update is performed in response to the indicated detection of the first random telegraph noise event. The first count update is one basis for generation of a number corresponding to a plurality of random telegraph noise events.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a 360 degree camera system include imaging reference strips, analyzing the imaged data to correct for pitch, roll, and yaw of cameras of the 360 degree camera system, and analyzing the image data to correct for zoom and shifting of the cameras. Each of the reference strips may include a bullseye component and a dots component to aid in the analyzing and correcting.

Abstract: A method of forming microlenses for an image sensor having at least one large-area pixel and at least one small-area pixel is disclosed. The method includes forming a uniform layer of microlens material on a light incident side of the image sensor over the large-area pixel and over the small-area pixel. The method also includes forming the layer of microlens material into a first block disposed over the large-area pixel and into a second block disposed over the small-area pixel. A void is also formed in the second block to reduce a volume of microlens material included in the second block. The first and second blocks are then reflowed to form a respective first microlens and second microlens. The first microlens has substantially the same effective focal length as the second microlens.

Abstract: A wafer-level array camera includes (i) an image sensor wafer including an image sensor array, (ii) a spacer disposed on the image sensor wafer, and (iii) a lens wafer disposed on the spacer, wherein the lens wafer includes a lens array. A method for fabricating a plurality of wafer-level array cameras includes (i) disposing a lens wafer, including a plurality of lens arrays, on an image sensor wafer, including a plurality of image sensor arrays, to form a composite wafer and (ii) dicing the composite wafer to form the plurality of wafer-level array cameras, wherein each of the plurality of wafer-level array cameras includes a respective one of the plurality of lens arrays and a respective one of the plurality of image sensor arrays.

Abstract: A codec includes an encoder having a quantization level generator that defines a quantization level specific to a block of values (e.g., transform coefficients), a quantizer that quantizes the block of transform coefficients according to the block-specific quantization level, a run-length encoder, and an entropy encoder. The quantization level is defined to result in at least a predetermined number (k) of quantized coefficients having a predetermined value. The amount of data compression by the encoder is proportional to (k). The codec also includes a decoder having entropy and run-length decoding sections whose throughputs are proportional to (k). The decoder takes advantage of this increased throughput by further decoding coefficients in parallel using a plurality of decoding channels. Methods for encoding and decoding data are also disclosed. The invention is well-suited to quantization, entropy, and/or run-length-based codecs, such as JPEG.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an image sensor having pixel transistors and peripheral transistors disposed in a silicon substrate. For some embodiments, a protective coating is disposed on the peripheral transistors and doped silicon is epitaxially grown on the substrate to form lightly-doped drain (LDD) areas for the pixel transistors. The protective oxide may be used to prevent epitaxial growth of silicon on the peripheral transistors during formation of the LDD areas of the pixel transistors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a 360 degree camera system include imaging reference strips, analyzing the imaged data to correct for pitch, roll, and yaw of cameras of the 360 degree camera system, and analyzing the image data to correct for zoom and shifting of the cameras. Each of the reference strips may include a bullseye component and a dots component to aid in the analyzing and correcting.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to improve potential well characteristics in a pixel cell. In an embodiment, a coupling portion of a pixel cell couples a reset transistor of the pixel cell to a floating diffusion node of the pixel cell, the reset transistor to reset a voltage of the floating diffusion node. In another embodiment, the pixel cell includes a shield line which extends athwart the coupling portion, where the shield line is to reduce a parasitic capacitance of the reset transistor to the floating diffusion node.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate having a photosensitive element for accumulating charge in response to incident image light. The semiconductor substrate includes a light-receiving surface positioned to receive the image light. The imaging device also includes a negative charge layer and a charge sinking layer. The negative charge layer is disposed proximate to the light-receiving surface of the semiconductor substrate to induce holes in an accumulation zone in the semiconductor substrate along the light-receiving surface. The charge sinking layer is disposed proximate to the negative charge layer and is configured to conserve or increase an amount of negative charge in the negative charge layer. The negative charge layer is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the charge sinking layer.

Abstract: A method of white balancing an image includes mapping pixels of the image to a color space diagram. Each of the pixels of the image include a red (“R”), a green (“G”), and a blue (“B”) subvalue. A first central tendency of each of the RGB subvalues of pixels mapped in a first pre-defined region of the color space diagram is determined and a second central tendency of each of the RGB subvalues of pixels mapped in a second pre-defined region of the color space diagram is determined. The first pre-defined region is associated with a first illuminating source and the second pre-defined region is associated with a second illuminating source. RGB values of a white pixel are generated based on the first and second central tendencies.

Abstract: A novel image sensor includes a pixel array, a row control circuit, a test signal injection circuit, a sampling circuit, an image processing circuit, a comparison circuit, and a control circuit. In a particular embodiment, the test signal injection circuit injects test signals into the pixel array, the sampling circuit acquires pixel data from the pixel array, and the comparison circuit compares the pixel data with the test signals. If the pixel data does not correspond to the test signals, the comparison circuit outputs an error signal. Additional comparison circuits are provided to detect defects in the control circuitry of an image sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides an image sensor device. The image sensor device includes a chip package and an opaque coating. The chip package includes an image sensor array chip, wherein a set of optical elements connect to the image sensor array chip, and an outer frame shielding the optical elements. The opaque coating overlies the outer frame.

Abstract: An integrated die-level camera system and method of making the camera system include a first die-level camera formed at least partially in a die. A second die level camera is also formed at least partially in the die. Baffling is formed to block stray light between the first and second die-level cameras.

Abstract: A method for calibrating auto white balancing in an electronic camera includes (a) obtaining a plurality of color values from a respective plurality of images of real-life scenes captured by the electronic camera under a first illuminant, (b) invoking an assumption about a true color value of at least portions of the real-life scenes, and (c) determining, based upon the difference between the true color value and the average of the color values, a plurality of final auto white balance parameters for a respective plurality of illuminants including the first illuminant. An electronic camera device includes an image sensor for capturing real-life images of real-life scenes, instructions including a partly calibrated auto white balance parameter set and auto white balance self-training instructions, and a processor for processing the real-life images according to the self-training instructions to produce a fully calibrated auto white balance parameter set specific to the electronic camera.

Abstract: A method for generating a control signal to control an information technology device includes the following steps: (1) capturing, using an image sensor, a current control image of a light source of a remote controller positioned within a field of view of the image sensor; (2) identifying, within the current control image, a current location of light emitted from the light source; (3) determining movement between (a) the current location of the light emitted from the light source and (b) a previous location of the light emitted from the light source determined from a previously captured image; (4) generating a movement control signal based upon the movement; and (5) sending the movement control signal to the information technology device. The method is executed, for example, by a movement control module of an information technology device input system.

Abstract: Image capture lens modules and wafer level packaged image capture devices are presented. The image capture lens module includes a compound lens with a first lens element and a second lens element molded on both sides of a substrate, and a field stop disposed at an interface between the first lens element and the substrate or at an interface between the second lens element and the substrate, wherein the field stop is a coating layer with a polygonal transparent area.

Abstract: A pixel cell includes a photodiode, a storage transistor, a transfer transistor and an output transistor disposed in a semiconductor substrate. The transfer transistor selectively transfers image charge accumulated in the photodiode from the photodiode to the storage transistor. The output transistor selectively transfers the image charge from the storage transistor to a readout node. A first isolation fence is disposed over the semiconductor substrate separating a transfer gate of the transfer transistor from a storage gate of the storage transistor. A second isolation fence is disposed over the semiconductor substrate separating the storage gate from an output gate of the output transistor. Thicknesses of the first and second isolation fences are substantially equal to spacing distances between the transfer gate and the storage gate, and between the storage gate and the output gate, respectively.

Abstract: A spacer wafer for a wafer-level camera and a method of manufacturing the spacer wafer include positioning a substrate in an additive manufacturing device and forming the spacer wafer over the substrate. The spacer wafer is formed by an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting for vignetting include associating each pixel in the two-dimensional array with a pair of polar coordinates referenced to a preselected origin pixel and partitioning the two-dimensional array of image pixels into a plurality of sectors. For each sector, the method includes computing an average R value, an average G value and an average B value; converting the average R value, the average G value and the average B value for each sector to logarithm space; comparing color gradients along a radial sector line to a gradient threshold; selecting gradients that do not exceed the threshold; using the selected gradients, estimating parameters of a model of a lens which produced the image; and, using the parameters, updating the model of the lens and correcting the image.