Abstract: A focusing device for a lens, including a frame, a lens carrier movable relative to the frame from a first position along an optical axis, a motor for driving the lens carrier along the optical axis, and at least one biasing member adapted to bias the lens carrier towards the first position. The biasing member may include one or more bending members.

Abstract: Combining circuitry for combining a plurality of multi-bit partial product terms in a multiplier circuit includes a plurality of compression columns, each column receiving a plurality of partial product term bits. At least one compression column includes: a first circuit arranged to receive a first set of the plurality of partial product term bits for the at least one compression column, the first circuit further arranged to combine the first set of term bits to produce a first combined term bit set; and a second circuit arranged to receive a second set of the plurality of term bits for the at least one compression column and all of the first combined term bit set.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of pixels. Each pixel has at least one photo-sensitive element. Readout circuitry receives an analog signal from each pixel at a first time and at a second time, between which the analog signal changes. The image sensor further includes associated support circuitry which is a source of time variant noise. The signal level at both first and second times includes pixel noise. Sample and hold circuitry is provided to maintain substantially level at least a proportion of this support circuitry noise time invariant at the sensor output between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: A lighting identification chart has a grey patch lighting identification feature and a three-part fiduciary marker positioned around the grey patch. The lighting identification chart 102 can be a small 18% reflectance ‘grey card’ produced with a fiduciary marker pattern on its surface. An imaging algorithm determines the orientation of the card with respect to the camera and locates the area of the grey patch. During image capture, the subject presents the card within the frame. The camera recognizes the locating features and calculates a white balance based on the grey patch on the card.

Abstract: An arithmetic unit comprising: an encoding circuit arranged to receive first and second operands each having a bit length of m bits and to generate therefrom a number n of partial products of bit length of 2m bits or less; an addition circuit having 2m columns each having n inputs, wherein bits of said partial products are applied to said inputs for combining said partial products into a result leaving certain of said inputs unused; and a rounding bit generator connected to supply a rounding bit to at least one of said unused inputs in one of said in columns at a bit position to cause said result to be rounded.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a test circuit; a first receiver unit arranged to receive test commands and to provide the test commands to the test circuit; a power supply unit arranged to supply power to the test circuit and to the first receiver unit; a second receiver unit arranged to receive power commands. The second receiver is arranged to control the operation of the power supply unit in response to the power commands received by the second receiver unit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is operable to execute boot loader code and a boot code from external memory. To provide security so that the CPU does not execute malicious codes, the circuit resets in a restricted mode in which only certain functional units may be connected. In the restricted mode the CPU is only able to fetch boot code from an external memory for transfer to an internal memory. A hash function operates on the fetched boot code to determine whether it is authentic and, if it is determined that the code is authentic the circuit is reset to an unrestricted mode to continue executing from the boot code now stored in the internal memory. Further security is provided by a watchdog timer function which resets the circuit if the boot code is not determined to be authentic within a threshold period of time.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array, and a correlated double sample circuit coupled to one of the pixels in the pixel array. The correlated double sample circuit includes first and second inputs, and first and second sample capacitors respectively coupled to the first and second inputs. The first input is for receiving an analog signal from a pixel, and the second input is for receiving a time varying reference signal. The analog signal varies during a pixel readout period, and has a first level during a first reset period and a second-level during a second read period. A comparator circuit compares the time varying reference signal and the analog signal. The analog signal and the time varying reference signal are constantly read onto one of the first and second sample capacitors during both the first reset period and the second read period.

Abstract: A light-sensitive pixel array has an active area and an additional area of optically shielded pixels. A “noise figure” is derived as a measure of the prevalence of noise in the image signal without being affected by the presence of moving detail in the image. The noise figure is derived by measuring the difference in output between the pixels of at least one pair of pixels in the optically shielded area in one frame, repeating this measurement in a subsequent frame, and then subtracting one pixel pair difference from the other to give a difference of differences. In a preferred form, four pairs of pixels are used. The noise figure may be used to control digital signal processing of the image signal, such as be smoothing.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit includes a plurality of capacitors, a network of switches and a control circuit. The control circuit is operable to control the network of switches so as to sample an incoming signal onto at least some of the plurality of capacitors. In such an operation, each capacitor takes a sample of the incoming signal at a different time. The sample and hold circuit outputs a signal corresponding to an average of the samples.

Abstract: An optical navigation device, such as that used on a computer or mobile communications device, includes a radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation. A sensor receives an image. An optical element identifies movement of an elastic object on a first surface to thereby enable a control action to be carried out. The device further determines the relative pressure on a first surface by an elastic object based upon the value of an optical parameter, such as the average radiation intensity of the image received at the sensor. The device may be arranged to operate as a push button or a linear pressure sensor.

Abstract: An image sensor has a pixel array and an input circuit. The input circuit includes a first input, a second input and two coupling capacitors. The first input receives an analog signal from a pixel of the pixel array which has a first level during a first calibration period and a second level during a second read period. The second input receives a reference ramp signal. A comparator circuit compares the ramp signal and the analog signal. The analog signal and the ramp signal are constantly read onto the coupling capacitors during both the first calibration period and the second read period. The ramp circuit begins providing the ramp signal during the second read period so as to determine the change in magnitude of the analog signal between the first calibration period and the second read period, the ramp circuit also begins providing the ramp signal during the first calibration period so as to compensate for any delay in the ramp circuit providing the ramp signal during the second read period.

Abstract: A digital filtering algorithm preprocesses couplet defects prior to their being operated on by a main filtering algorithm that focuses on singlet defects. The preprocessing involves the replacement of one of the defective pixel values in the couplet with a pixel value that is known to be non-defective. In preferred embodiments, the selection of the pixel value in the couplet to be replaced is customized depending on the direction of scanning of the pixel array, and can take into account edge effects of border pixels.

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.

Abstract: A biometric sensor apparatus uses an infra red light source and a CMOS image sensor. A platen receives a body part and the image sensor receives light transmitted through the body part. A processor determines from the detected through-transmitted light whether the body part is live or is a spoof body part. This determination is based upon a detected variation of the opacity of the body part due to blood flow through the body part. Digital processing of the collected image signal data is performed, such as by smoothing. The sensor may further function as a pattern (such as a fingerprint) sensor for detecting surface patterns on the presented body part and identifying an individual from those sensed patterns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels, a digital to analog converter for providing a ramp signal, A comparator for comparing the output level of each pixel to said ramp signal, and memory for storing the digital value that corresponds to said output level for each pixel, the sensor apparatus thereby converting the analog output level of each pixel to a digital value. The apparatus operates by providing an analog output that is sourced from the digital to analog converter used to provide said ramp signal.

Abstract: An imaging device may have an imaging surface and a sensor. The imaging surface may be illuminated by a first source and reflect at least some of the illumination to the sensor to detect an image. The imaging device may have a predetermined width and an optical path passing therethrough. The imaging device may be illuminated by a second source, and the illumination of the second source may be directed to one or more predetermined regions on or near the imaging surface to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface.

Abstract: In a fingermouse image sensor, an array of radiation sensitive pixels is formed on an image sensing die at a position where the array of radiation sensitive pixels is formed off-center within the image sensing die. More specifically, the array of radiation sensitive pixels is formed as close as possible to an edge of the image sensing die. That image sensing die is mounted to a substrate at a position offset from a center of the substrate. More specifically, the image sensing die is positioned such that the edge of the image sensing die (where the array of radiation sensitive pixels is positioned) is adjacent an edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of managing power consumption in a device, such as a video image processing device for processing data from one or more pixels, includes forming a frame of an image. The method further includes determining one or more regions of interest in the image, identifying one or more pixels located in the one or more regions of interest, and processing the one or more identified pixels in a predetermined manner. Power for at least part of the device is switched off if no pixels are identified in a region of interest within a predetermined period of time.