Abstract: Repeated Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN) in solid state image sensors for a digitally encoded image captured with a sensor is corrected by exploits the periodicity of FPN pattern. In this way FPN is compensated by using a repeating pattern that is associated with repeating blocks of layout.

Abstract: A method of delaying successive first and second input signals by first and second different selectable time periods using a programmable delay line comprising a sequence of delay elements, each introducing a delay, the method comprising the steps of: providing a control signal to each delay element, the control signal selectively being in a first logic state or a second logic state wherein in a first logic state the delay element selects an input from an adjacent delay element thereby to select the delay elements as part of a set of delay elements introducing said selectable time period and in a second logic state the delay element is not selected in the set; setting the control signals for a first number of adjacent delay elements to the first logic state to introduce the first selectable time period wherein the control signals for the delay elements in the sequence not in the first number are set to the second logic state; and setting the control signals of a second number of adjacent delay elements to the

Abstract: An optical image stabilization (OIS) system may be used in a camera having an optical system which includes a motion compensating optical element driven by an actuator. The system may include a motion sensor providing a motion signal, a frequency detector for detecting a dominant frequency being that frequency within the motion signal which may produce the most significant motion blurring in the image produced by the camera, and a tunable high-pass filter for filtering the motion signal and supplying the filtered motion signal as an actuator control signal. The tunable high pass filter may be tuned based upon the dominant frequency to a filter characteristic which provides a phase lead substantially canceling a phase lag of the actuator at that frequency.

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.

Abstract: An image data file undergoes compression, such as JPEG compression. The size of the resulting compressed file is compared with a file size limit. If the file size limit is exceeded, then the compression factor may be increased. A scaler reduces the image pixel resolution if the required compression factor would otherwise exceed a predetermined limit. This may prevent a high degree of compression from providing an image of poor visual quality.

Abstract: A touch pad uses a plurality of optical mouse type sensors. The sensors are optimized for detection of motion along the predominant direction of a user's finger as the finger is moved around the touch pad. A first one of the sensors functions to optically sense motion in a first direction, while a second one of the sensors functions to optically sense motion in a second, different, direction. The first and second directions are oriented a closed, for example, circular, path.

Abstract: A system is provided which includes a key memory storing a group of keys for use in decryption and a programmable memory configured to store a set of rules governing access to the key memory and a first engine for deriving a first key using a second key from the key group. The engine is configured to transmit a request for access to the second key from the key memory. The system further includes logic connected between the engine and the key memory and further connected to the programmable memory. The logic is configured to receive the request from the engine and to use the set of rules to control the access to the second key in the key memory. The programmable memory is writeable in situ to replace the set of rules with an alternative set of rules.

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.

Abstract: A digital image sensor includes a planar substrate with one or more bonding pads on one side and a silicon chip with one or more bonding pads. The silicon chip is attached on the planar substrate through the one or more bonding pads. The attachment of the silicon chip to the planar substrate is performed in a manner such that the silicon chip, when attached, has a curved shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a photon avalanche detector in the semiconductor substrate. The photon avalanche detector includes an anode of a first conductivity type and a cathode of a second conductivity type. A guard ring is in the semiconductor substrate and at least partially surrounds the photon avalanche detector. A passivation layer of the first conductivity type is in contact with the guard ring to reduce an electric field at an edge of the photon avalanche detector.

Abstract: A method of forming an image sensor having a sensor, a cover, and a filter, that may include applying a filter layer to a cover layer by masking the cover layer with a predetermined pattern and applying the filter layer by a deposition process. The method may also include bonding the cover layer to a sensor layer including a plurality of sensors. The predetermined pattern may result in a filter layer which is aligned with each sensor. There may be gaps in the filter layer around each sensor.

Abstract: The method and circuit corrects errors in an active pixel sensor which generates an output indicative of illumination intensity and which may experience an error in the output as a result of artifacts which produce an erroneous output. The approach includes determining the output from the pixel, comparing the output with a threshold value, and if the output is lower that the threshold value identifying the existence of an erroneous output and storing a value in a latching device in response thereto. A maximum value is generated in response to the latching device to replace the erroneous output, thereby correcting the error. The present invention switches the system from the analog to digital domain with respect to the issue of artifacts by using a latch to store a value which is then used to replace the actual output if the output is wrong.

Abstract: A camera module lens cap is provided to protect a camera module in a mobile device where the camera module is exposed. The camera module lens cap includes an optically transparent member for positioning adjacent a camera lens, and a housing for carrying the optically transparent member. The housing includes an overhanging lip for engaging a base of the camera module.

Abstract: A sensor module has first and second sensor arrays formed on a substrate, with the first and second sensor arrays adapted to share common readout circuitry and shared read out for a pair of sensors on a single array.

Abstract: An imaging system for a scanner includes a sensor and a rod lens. The sensor has a linear array of photosensitive elements arranged in three rows and disposed at an angle such that the rows are at different distances from the lens and the object being scanned. When changes in focus occur, for example in scanning a book or a 3D object, the photosensitive elements giving the sharpest image are selected. The angle is achieved by mounting the sensor to a PCB via solder bumps arranged along one side of the sensor.

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: A lens assembly includes a lens mount, an image sensor, and an optical filter. An optical filter holder is secured to the lens mount and has an upper contact surface which abuts the optical filter and a lower contact surface which abuts the image sensor to thereby align the optical filter and the image sensor with an optical axis.

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.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling access to a programmable memory including: allowing code to be written to the programmable memory in a first access mode; preventing execution of the code stored in the programmable memory in the first access mode; verifying the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory; if the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory is verified, setting a second access mode, wherein in the second access mode, further code is prevented from being written to the programmable memory, and execution of the code stored in the programmable memory is allowed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an output stage, and associated apparatus, for a voltage regulator that includes a clamp circuit that is operable to ensure that the output voltage recovers quickly, i.e. that the perturbation of this voltage is limited and remains within a given specification, when entering a standby mode and which is controlled in a supply independent manner.