Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics (Research& Development)
  • Error correction in thermometer codes
    Patent number: 8432304
    Abstract: A thermometer coded line is configured to convert a time interval to a digital code for subsequent processing in order to output a value representative of said time interval. A digital peak detector is coupled to receive output from the thermometer coded line, the detector operating for correction of an undesired code of said digital code in order to ensure a valid output of said value. A majority logic circuit is coupled between the thermometer coded line and the digital peak detector, the logic circuit operating for correction of undesired code of said digital code in order to ensure the valid output of said value. The detector functions to correct any undesired code not corrected by, or introduced by, the logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Ltd
    Inventor: Neale Dutton
  • Loading secure code into a memory
    Patent number: 8429513
    Abstract: A method of verifying the integrity of code in a programmable memory, the method including: receiving the code from an insecure memory; generating error detection bits for the code as it is received from the insecure memory; storing the code and the error detection bits in the programmable memory; and verifying the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory by performing an authentication check on the code and the error detection bits stored in the programmable memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: David Smith, Andrew Marsh
  • ARRANGEMENT, METHOD, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND DEVICE FOR ROUTING REQUESTS
    Publication number: 20130097343
    Abstract: A request routing circuit includes m inputs for receiving m input request signals and n outputs for outputting a set of n output request signals. A routing subsystem within the request routing circuit is provided between the m inputs and the n outputs and comprises k inputs and n outputs, where m is greater than k, and where the routing subsystem is configured to operate over a plurality (m/k, rounded up to the next integer) of cycles to provide the set of n output request signals based on the m inputs to the n outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Davide Sarta, David Smith
  • Wafer level packaged integrated circuit
    Patent number: 8421175
    Abstract: A wafer level packaged integrated circuit includes an array of contacts, a silicon layer and a glass layer. The silicon and glass layers are bonded together to form a bonding material layer therebetween. The bonding material layer includes gaps between the silicon layer and the glass layer at areas where no bonding material is present. An array of contacts is adjacent the semiconductor layer on a side thereof opposite the bonding layer. The wafer level packaged integrated circuit is provided with additional bonding material layer portions within the gaps and aligned with at least some of the contacts. When the wafer level packaged integrated circuit is configured as an image sensor or display having a pixel array, the additional bonding material layer portions are not used in an area of the pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics ( Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Robert Nicol
  • Camera image stabilization
    Patent number: 8416307
    Abstract: A method of motion compensation in a camera may include deriving a motion signal representative of a motion of the camera, processing video frames of a video signal from an image sensor of the camera during a viewfinder mode to derive motion vectors between pairs of frames, and processing the motion signal with a number of combinations of gain and offset factors during the viewfinder mode. The method may also include determining combinations for producing threshold motion vectors, and applying the combination producing the threshold motion vectors for processing the motion signal during a still capture mode to produce a control signal for a motion compensating element for optics of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Stuart McLeod
  • Optical navigation device and associated methods
    Patent number: 8405607
    Abstract: A sensor for an optical device includes an array of pixels in rows and columns which detect and process illumination falling thereon so as to identify inputs generated by a user on a surface of the optical device. A second reset period of variable length between a black calibration phase and an integration phase occurs in a processing cycle of a frame for each pixel, wherein the length of the second reset period is adjusted based on the ambient light conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Raynor
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING VIBRATION ISOLATORS
    Publication number: 20130061666
    Abstract: A system may monitor a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part. The system may include a light source, an optical sensor mounted to receive light from the light source, and a processing unit for providing an output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection based on the output of the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Stuart GILLIES
  • OPTICAL NAGIVATION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130063349
    Abstract: An optical navigation device may have an adaptive sleep mode for preventing unwanted scrolling inputs. A motion indicator may move a device between a sleep mode and an active mode. According to the sleep mode, a number of different sleep states are defined which have further reduced frame rates. The device may be only woken from the deeper sleep modes once repeated motion events are detected. This may prevent the device from being woken accidentally, while preserving the user experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Julie M. RANKIN
  • Flow controlled pulsed serial link
    Patent number: 8391433
    Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting a clock and data from a first module to a second module connected by a single outward line and a single return line, comprising: means for transmitting a data pulse on the single outward line comprising means for asserting a first edge on said single outward line, said first edge representing a timing edge for the clock and means for asserting a second edge on the single outward line a selectable time period after said first edge, said selectable time period representing said data; and means for receiving a return pulse on said single return path comprising means for receiving a first edge and a second edge on the single return line, the first and second edges being separated by a first time period, said first time period representing an acknowledgement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Robert G. Warren
  • Locating satellites
    Patent number: 8384591
    Abstract: A system and method of locating the position of a satellite or a user using a satellite positioning system. The system and method includes receiving, at a terminal, satellite positioning data for at least one specified time period over a communications channel. In addition, the system includes storing, at the terminal, the satellite positioning data for the at least one specified time period. Responsive to an event at a later time, the system generally calculates, at the terminal, the satellite position at the later time based only on the satellite positioning data for the at least one specified time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Philip Mattos
  • System and method for acquisition of signals
    Patent number: 8369464
    Abstract: A system for processing a received signal having at least one code applied thereto, the received signal having a frequency, the system comprising: first correlator circuitry arranged to correlate the received signal with a first code to provide an output; second correlator circuitry arranged to correlate the received signal with a second code to provide an output, wherein the first code and the second code are different; and processor for processing together the outputs of the first and second correlator circuitry to cancel the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Philip Mattos
  • Artifact removal from phase encoded images
    Patent number: 8369642
    Abstract: PSF coding has become well known in recent years. Although it enables significant increases in the depth of field, defocus introduces artifacts in images that are a major detraction from the final image quality. A method is described that enables the deduction or defocus and consequently the removal of these artifacts. The principle of the disclosed techniques involves iteratively adjusting the restoration algorithm according to a chosen image or artifact metric and choosing the defocus parameter that yields the image the lowest level of artifact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Ltd
    Inventors: Ewan Findlay, Andrew Harvey, Bertrand Lucotte, Gonzalo Muyo, Mads Demenikov
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGE QUALITY LEARNING WITH SOLID STATE IMAGE SENSORS
    Publication number: 20130016243
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to solid state image sensors in digital imaging systems, more particularly to an image quality learning method and system for solid state image sensors. One of the advantages of the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is to allow the implementation of a digital machine vision system with a faster convergence of an Image Quality algorithm, which results in a shorter delay for the user. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method is performed as a recursive algorithm which tends to converge to an Image Quality setting satisfying image quality criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: William Foote
  • Lens mounting assembly and method of aligning lenses in a mounting assembly
    Patent number: 8300332
    Abstract: A lens mounting assembly includes a lens barrel with a first lens assembly. A lens mount includes an image sensor, and the lens barrel matingly connects with the lens mount in a manner which allows the first lens assembly to be moved along an optical axis to adjust a focus on the image sensor. A second lens assembly is provided for adjusting the focus on the image sensor during use of the lens. An alignment projection is provided on at least one of the first or second lens assemblies, the alignment projection being adapted to mate with a portion of the other of the first or second lens assemblies in order to directly optically align the first and second lens assemblies with the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Ltd.
    Inventor: Colin Campbell
  • Optical sensor and sensing method with stray illumination compensation
    Patent number: 8283620
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes an infra red LED, a photodetector and a lock in charge amplifier. The photodetector passes charge to a feedback capacitor of the charge amplifier following an illumination cycle during which the LED is emitting and also following an illumination cycle during which the LED does not emit. An amplifier presents an output indicative of the difference between the charge generated at the photodetector during the illuminated and non-illuminated cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Ltd
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Raynor, David P. Baxter
  • MULTI-MODE PHOTODETECTOR
    Publication number: 20120205522
    Abstract: A photodetector includes a photodiode and output circuitry coupled to the photodiode. The photodetector is configurable for operation in at least two modes. A first configurable mode operates the photodetector as an integrating sensor. In this first mode, a bias voltage across the photodiode is set below the breakdown voltage of the photodiode and the output circuitry is configured to read an analog integration output voltage from the photodiode. A second configurable mode operates the photodetector as a single photon avalanche detector. In this second mode, the bias voltage across the photodiode is set above the breakdown voltage of the photodiode and the output circuitry is configured to read an avalanche output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Justin Richardson, Robert Henderson
  • MULTI-CHANNEL IMAGE SENSORS
    Publication number: 20120206620
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array and an image sensor objective optical element. The element is formed by a lenslet array. Each lenslet in the array directs incoming radiation onto a different specific pixel or sub-array of pixels in the pixel array. The lenslets in the array are shaped such that fields of view of next-but-one neighboring ones of the lenslets (i.e., two lenslets spaced from each other by another lenslet) do not overlap until a certain object distance away from the lenslet array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicants: University of Heriot-Watt, STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Ewan Findlay, James Downing, Andrew Murray, Lindsay Grant, Adam Caley
  • SINGLE PHOTON AVALANCHE DIODES
    Publication number: 20120205731
    Abstract: A CMOS single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) design uses conventional, or at least known, CMOS processes to produce a device having a breakdown region in which the main p-n junction is formed of a deep n-well layer, and optionally on the other side, a p-add layer. The SPAD may also have a guard ring region which comprises the p-epi layer without any implant. The SPAD may have curved or circular perimeters. A CMOS chip comprises SPADs as described and other NMOS devices all sharing the same deep n-well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Robert K. Henderson, Justin Richardson
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERFACING MULTIPLE DIES WITH MAPPING FOR SOURCE IDENTIFIER ALLOCATION
    Publication number: 20120210288
    Abstract: A package includes a die and at least one further die. The die has an interface configured to receive a transaction request from the further die via an interconnect and to transmit a response to the transaction request to said further die via the interconnect. The die also has mapping circuitry which is configured to allocate to the received transaction a local source identity information as source identity information, the local source identity information comprising one of a set of reusable local source identity information. This ensures the order of transactions tagged with a same original source identity and target and allows transactions tagged with different source identifiers to be processed out of order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicants: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED, STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE2) SAS
    Inventors: Ignazio Antonino URZI, Philippe D'AUDIGIER, Olivier SAUVAGE, Stuart RYAN, Andrew Michael JONES
  • INPUT DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
    Publication number: 20120194479
    Abstract: An input device for an electronic device includes a proximity detector and a light source. The light source transmits light to a sensing area, which is reflected back to the proximity detector in the presence of an object in the vicinity of the sensing area, such that the proximity detector can produce an output indicative of a distance of the object from the proximity detector to give rise to a control signal for controlling the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Laurence STARK, William Halliday