Abstract: A pixel is formed by two or more photodiodes and at least one transfer gate. The transfer gate is configured to transfer charge from each of the photodiodes to a common sense node, such that charge from the photodiodes is combined at the common sense node.

Abstract: An optical navigation device, including a radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation; a sensor for receiving an image; and an optical element for identifying movement of an object on a first surface to thereby enable a control action to be carried out. The optical element is such that a whole of the imaged area of the first surface is substantially covered by the object in normal use. The device is operable to receive from the object on the first surface an input describing a pattern, to compare the received pattern to a stored reference pattern and to perform a predetermined function if the received pattern and stored reference pattern are substantially similar. The pattern may be a continuous line, the device being operable to store the continuous line as a set of turning points in chronological order.

Abstract: A circuit simulator includes at least one clock generator. The at least one clock generator is configured to generate at least one root clock signal for an associated clock domain part of the circuit under simulation. The circuit simulator also includes a clock modifier configured to generate at least one delay to be applied to at least one of the at least one root clock signal.

Abstract: An array of image sensing elements is arranged in rows and columns. A readout circuit for each column includes a circuit configured to receive a column select signal. A memory stores data indicative of a voltage of an image sensing element which is being read. An analog to digital conversion circuit provides an output to the memory to control the storing of data. The output is dependent on the voltage of the image sensing element. Power control circuitry operates to disable, at least partially, the analog to digital conversion circuit when the column has not been selected.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a radio navigation signal. The apparatus has a first correlator correlating a first signal component with a first code, providing a first output, and having a carrier frequency and data. The apparatus also has a second correlator is configured to correlate a second signal component with a second code, providing a second output, and being different from the first code, the second signal component having the same carrier frequency as the first signal component and the same data as the first signal component. Each of real (I) and imaginary (Q) parts of the second output are delayed relative to respective parts of the first output such that the data on the second signal component is delayed with respect to the data on the first signal component, providing a delayed second output. The processor processes the outputs, their data being aligned to provide frequency information about the carrier.

Abstract: A first oscillator generates a first frequency. A second oscillator generates a second frequency. A controller determines a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency and determines a non-ideal component of the first frequency in dependence on a temperature response of the first and second oscillators.

Abstract: A processor module including a processor configured to share data with at least one further processor module processor; and a memory mapped peripheral configured to communicate with at least one further processor memory mapped peripheral to control the sharing of the data, wherein the memory mapped peripheral includes a sender part including a data request generator configured to output a data request indicator to the further processor module dependent on a data request register write signal from the processor; and an acknowledgement waiting signal generator configured to output an acknowledgement waiting signal to the processor dependent on a data acknowledgement signal from the further processor module, wherein the data request generator data request indicator is further dependent on the data acknowledgement signal and the acknowledgement waiting signal generator acknowledgement waiting signal is further dependent on the acknowledgement waiting register write signal.

Abstract: A sensor pixel detects a photon and outputs a first voltage proportional to a time of arrival of the detected photon. This voltage is converted to a multi-bit digital signal in the format of a thermometer code. A number of counter circuits, one counter circuit per bit of the multi-bit digital signal, are provided to accumulate the thermometer coded outputs. Each counter is configured to increment in response to an active logic state of the corresponding bit of the multi-bit digital signal. Accumulated count values in the counter circuits provide a timing histogram with respect to photon detection.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a light emitting diode array, and a time of flight ranging system. A logic circuit determines a distance to an object using the time of flight ranging system and controls the light emitting diode array based upon the distance to the object. A receptacle is coupled to the logic circuit, and sized and configured to fit within and be powered from a light bulb socket. In some applications, the logic circuit may activate the light emitting diode array when the object is less than a threshold distance away from the lighting system and deactivate the light emitting diode array when the object is greater than the threshold distance away from the lighting system. In further applications, the logic circuit may activate the light emitting diode array at a duty cycle that varies based upon the distance to the object.

Abstract: An autofocus method determines that a ranging device of a digital camera has failed in an attempt to provide a distance estimation. The ranging device provides one or more parameters indicating conditions related to the failure of the ranging device to provide the distance estimation. An autofocus sequence based on the one or more parameters is then performed.

Abstract: A module operates in a proximity detection mode and a gesture detection mode. The module includes an illumination source, radiation sensors and a controller. When in proximity detection mode, the illumination source emits radiation, the radiation sensors measure the radiation level, and the controller adjusts the measured radiation level to substantially cancel the contribution attributable to ambient radiation to determine the presence of a proximate object by. When in the gesture recognition mode, the level of radiation incident on the sensors is individually sampled, and the controller determines object movement by comparing the changes in the measured radiation levels over a plurality of the samples. Ambient radiation contribution is not removed from the sampled radiation levels during the gesture recognition mode.

Abstract: A camera module has a lens module mounted on a substrate. The image sensor is located in a cavity in the substrate and is connected to the substrate by a bridge member, the infra-red filter. The image sensor is attached to the infra-red filter by a ring of adhesive surrounding the imaging area of the image sensor. The adhesive attaching the image sensor to the infra-red filter comprises spacers. The infra-red filter is attached to the substrate by adhesive. The cavity may extend through the substrate. The image sensor is further connected to the substrate by a sheet member, which may be made of metal. The sheet member is affixed to the bottom of the substrate and covers the hole in the substrate formed by the extension of the cavity through the substrate. A method of assembly of the camera module includes: providing a substrate with a cavity; locating the image sensor in the cavity; connecting the infra-red filter to the image sensor and the substrate; and mounting the lens module on the substrate.

Abstract: A camera assembly may include a printed circuit board (PCB), an image sensor carried by the PCB, and an electrically conductive layer carried by the PCB defining a ground plane. The camera assembly may also include a lens assembly, and a camera body that includes a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer thereon. The camera body may have a lens assembly opening aligned between the image sensor and the lens assembly and may also have a ground plane access opening therein aligned with the ground plane. The camera assembly may also include an electrically conductive material within the ground plane access opening coupling the electrically conductive layer to the ground plane.

Abstract: An autofocus method determines that a ranging device of a digital camera has failed in an attempt to provide a distance estimation. The ranging device provides one or more parameters indicating conditions related to the failure of the ranging device to provide the distance estimation. An autofocus sequence based on the one or more parameters is then performed.

Abstract: A package includes a first die and a second die. The dies are connected to each other through an interface. At least one of the first and second dies includes a plurality of signal sources, wherein each source has at least one quality of service parameter associated therewith, and a plurality of queues having a different priorities. A signal from a respective one of the signal sources is allocated to one of the plurality of queues in dependence on the at least one quality of service parameter associated with the respective signal source. The interface is configured such that signals from said queues are transported from one of said first and second dies to the other of said first and second dies.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an array of pixels, each pixel including a first pixel and a second pixel. A first color filter provided over the first pixel is configured to pass a first color portion within and less than a visible portion of the spectrum. An infra-red color filter provided over the second pixel is configured to pass a near infra-red portion and an infra-red portion of the spectrum, but not the visible portion of the spectrum. An interference filter is provided over the first and second pixels, wherein the interference filter is configured to pass the visible portion of the spectrum and the near infra-red portion of the spectrum. The first pixel detects light sensed in the first color portion and the second pixel detects light sensed in the near infra-red portion. A processing circuit corrects the sensed first color portion as a function of the sensed near-infra-red portion.

Abstract: A pixel arrangement includes a photodiode, a reset transistor configured to be controlled by a reset signal and coupled to a reset input voltage, a transfer gate transistor configured to transfer charge from the photodiode to a node, wherein the transfer gate transistor is controlled by a transfer gate voltage, and a source follower transistor controlled by the voltage on the node and coupled to a source follower voltage. A capacitor is coupled between the node and an input voltage. During a read operation the input voltage is increased to boost the voltage at the node. The increased input voltage may, for example, be one the reset input voltage, said source follower voltage, said transfer gate voltage and a boosting voltage.

Abstract: An optical navigation device includes a navigation radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation, and an optical element. The optical navigation device is for identifying movement of an object to thereby enable a control action to be carried out. A sensor is for receiving an image based upon reflected radiation from the navigation radiation source, and at least one illumination radiation source is for illuminating the optical navigation device. The device is operable, in recurrent cycles of at least reset, expose, and readout phases, to activate the at least one illumination radiation source during the reset phase. The reset phase may have the longest duration of the phases.

Abstract: An optical navigation device is provided for detecting movement of a pointer, such as a finger, in three dimensions. A sensor obtains images of the pointer which have been illuminated by an illumination source, and an image scaling module determines the difference in size between images acquired by the image sensor to determine the difference in height of the pointer between images.

Abstract: An array of image sensing elements is arranged in rows and columns. A readout circuit for each column includes a circuit configured to receive a column select signal. A memory stores data indicative of a voltage of an image sensing element which is being read. An analog to digital conversion circuit provides an output to the memory to control the storing of data. The output is dependent on the voltage of the image sensing element. Power control circuitry operates to disable, at least partially, the analog to digital conversion circuit when the column has not been selected.