Abstract: Retiming circuitry for retiming a data signal transmitted from a first environment under control of a first clock signal to a second environment under control of a second clock signal, said first and second clock signals having a known repeat relationship, the retiming circuitry comprising a plurality of delay elements for delaying said data signal; a plurality of inputs connected to said delay elements for receiving said data signal at respectfully different delays; selection means for selecting the data signal at one of said inputs based on said known repeat relationship; and an output for outputting said selected data signal.

Abstract: A photosensor includes a plurality of photosensitive regions including a first photosensitive region connected to a first voltage reference, and at least one additional photosensitive region. A signal collector is connected to the first photosensitive region. At least one switching device is for switching the at least one additional photosensitive region between the first voltage reference and a second voltage reference that is less than the first voltage reference, and for reversibly connecting the at least one additional photosensitive region to the signal collector so that the photosensor is variably responsive to different light levels.

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.

Abstract: A fluorescence detector includes a light source being positioned so that in use, radiation emitted therefrom falls on one or more fluorescing species, and a photodetector being switchably connectable between a charge integrator device and a charge disposal device. The photodetector is positionable to detect fluorescent radiation from the fluorescing species. A controller communicates with the light source and the photodetector, and is operable in a cyclic manner to activate the light source to emit radiation and connect the photodetector to the charge disposal device for a first period of time, and connect the photodetector to the charge integrator device for a second period of time after the first period. The charge integrator device is not reset from one cycle to the next.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for pre-fetching data into a cache memory system. These systems and methods comprise retrieving a portion of data from a system memory and storing a copy of the retrieved portion of data in a cache memory. These systems and methods further comprise monitoring data that has been placed into pre-fetch memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that comprise a cache memory for storing a copy of a portion of data stored in a system memory and a cache load circuit capable of retrieving the portion of data from the system memory. The systems and methods further comprise a status memory for identifying whether or not a region of the cache memory contains data that has been accessed from the cache memory by an external device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a cache memory and a cache load circuit. The cache load circuit is capable of retrieving a portion of data from the system memory and of storing a copy of the retrieved portion of data in the cache memory. In addition, the systems and methods comprise a monitoring circuit for monitoring accesses to data in the system memory.

Abstract: A lens barrel is mated with a lens mount through use of a screw thread whereby relative rotation adjusts lens focus. The lens barrel and lens mount are additionally provided with an interengaging formation that is interposed between an optical axis of the lens barrel and the screw thread. This formation provides a cylindrical sliding contact which isolates any particles produced by operation of the screw thread from reaching the optical components at or near the optical axis.

Abstract: The method is for controlling a charge pump of the type where two flying capacitors charge and discharge to a reservoir capacitor in sequence. Part of the switching is carried out in parallel, lengthening the charging pulse at the expense of the conventional comparatively long discharge pulse, thus providing operation at higher frequencies than previously possible.

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 cache memory comprises a first set of storage locations for holding syllables and addressable by a first group of addresses; a second set of storage locations for holding syllables and addressable by a second group of addresses; addressing circuitry operable to provide in each addressing cycle a pair of addresses comprising one from the first group and one from the second group, thereby accessing a plurality of syllables from each set of storage locations; and selection circuitry operable to select from said plurality of syllables to output to a processor lane based on whether a required syllable is addressable by an address in the first or second group.

Abstract: An assaying device includes one or more detectors, a transporter and inlet that is connected to the one or more detectors by a one or more channels. The transporter includes one or more sealed, vacuum-containing chambers being connected to the channels, wherein each of the chambers includes an electrically activated puncture. The puncture is configured to puncture a wall of a chamber and cause a differential pressure in the one ore more channels, and thereby transport a fluid from the inlet to the one or more detectors.

Abstract: The image sensor has a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns to form a pixel array, each pixel column having a column bitline. The image sensor includes a column readout for each column bitline and at least one additional column readout. The additional column readout may be selectively connected to one of the column bitlines. In one embodiment, a defective column readout can be isolated and the additional column readout used as a replacement.

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: A method of encoding data and timing information on a single line comprising: asserting a first edge on the single line to encode said timing information; asserting a second edge on the single line a selectable time period after said first edge, said selectable time period representing said data, characterised in that: said step of asserting said first edge comprises supplying a clock signal to a clock input of a flip-flop; and the step of asserting the second edge comprises supplying the output of the flip-flop to an input of a programmable delay line having a data input connected to receive said data and an output connected to a reset input of the flip-flop, whereby an output of the flip-flop provides said encoded data and timing information on the single line.

Abstract: The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, arranged in rows and columns to form a pixel array, each pixel having a pixel output. The image sensor includes at least two column bitlines for each pixel column, each column bitline connected to each pixel output in the pixel column and to a common readout amplifier. In one embodiment, the bitlines are not in the same plane and multiple bitlines are positioned one above the other, maximizing pixel efficiency.

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: An optical device cooling apparatus includes an image sensor array and a MEMS fan. The MEMS fan is formed integrally with the image sensor array, and cools the image sensor array.

Abstract: An image processing device including an encoder processor and a decoder circuit. The encoder processor receives image data from a sensor and encodes the data with padding data if a series of bytes indicative of command sequence occur within the image data. The decoder circuit receives the image data and the padding data, and removes the padding data from within the image data.

Abstract: A method of compensating for camera shake includes reading a sequential series of images from an image sensing array, establishing a sharpness value for each of the sequential series of images, and performing an image selection based upon each sharpness value. The sharpness value is calculated for each image of the sequential series thereof during the reading.