Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device includes while a display is in low power mode, detecting based on data collected by a time of flight (ToF) sensor, a movable object within a field of view of the electronic device; in response to the detecting initiating a period of detection having a plurality of frames, the period of detection being a time period over which a distance value indicative of a distance between the movable object and the display is detected; for each of the plurality of frames, changing the distance value to reflect whether the movable object is moving near or further from the electronic device; detecting that the distance value after the period of detection is less than a threshold distance value indicative of the movable object approaching the display; if the distance value is less than the threshold distance value, waking up the display.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of controlling a facial recognition process by validating preconditions with a ranging sensor. The ranging sensor transmits a ranging signal that is reflected off of a user's face and received back at the ranging sensor. The received ranging signal can be used to determine distance between the user's face and the mobile device or to determine the reflectivity of the user's face. Comparing the distance to a range of distances corresponding to normal operation of the device or normal reflectivities associated with human skin tones can reduce the number of false positive activations of the facial recognition process. Furthermore, a multiple zone ranging sensor can produce a face depth map that can be compared to a stored face depth map or can produce a reflectivity map that can be compared to a stored face reflectivity map to further increase power efficiency and device security.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of controlling a facial recognition process by validating preconditions with a ranging sensor. The ranging sensor transmits a ranging signal that is reflected off of a user's face and received back at the ranging sensor. The received ranging signal can be used to determine distance between the user's face and the mobile device or to determine the reflectivity of the user's face. Comparing the distance to a range of distances corresponding to normal operation of the device or normal reflectivities associated with human skin tones can reduce the number of false positive activations of the facial recognition process. Furthermore, a multiple zone ranging sensor can produce a face depth map that can be compared to a stored face depth map or can produce a reflectivity map that can be compared to a stored face reflectivity map to further increase power efficiency and device security.

Abstract: A time of flight range detection device includes a laser configured to transmit an optical pulse into an image scene, a return single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, a reference SPAD array, a range detection circuit coupled to the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array, and a laser driver circuit. The range detection circuit in operation determines a distance to an object based on signals from the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array. The laser driver circuit in operation varies an output power level of the laser in response to the determined distance to the object.

Abstract: A time of flight range detection device includes a laser configured to transmit an optical pulse into an image scene, a return single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, a reference SPAD array, a range detection circuit coupled to the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array, and a laser driver circuit. The range detection circuit in operation determines a distance to an object based on signals from the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array. The laser driver circuit in operation varies an output power level of the laser in response to the determined distance to the object.

Abstract: A device includes a time-of-flight ranging sensor configured to transmit optical pulse signals and to receive return optical pulse signals. The time-of-flight ranging sensor processes the return optical pulse signals to sense distances to a plurality of objects and to generate a confidence value indicating whether one of the plurality of objects has a highly reflective surface. The time-of-flight sensor generates a range estimation signal including a plurality of sensed distances and the confidence value. The image capture device includes autofocusing circuitry coupled to the time-of-flight sensor to receive the range estimation signal and configured to control focusing based upon the sensed distances responsive to the confidence value indicating none of the plurality of objects has a highly reflective surface. The autofocusing circuitry controls focusing independent of the sensed distances responsive to the confidence value indicating one of the objects has a highly reflective surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of controlling a facial recognition process by validating preconditions with a ranging sensor. The ranging sensor transmits a ranging signal that is reflected off of a user's face and received back at the ranging sensor. The received ranging signal can be used to determine distance between the user's face and the mobile device or to determine the reflectivity of the user's face. Comparing the distance to a range of distances corresponding to normal operation of the device or normal reflectivities associated with human skin tones can reduce the number of false positive activations of the facial recognition process. Furthermore, a multiple zone ranging sensor can produce a face depth map that can be compared to a stored face depth map or can produce a reflectivity map that can be compared to a stored face reflectivity map to further increase power efficiency and device security.

Abstract: At least one image of a moving object is acquired using an image acquisition device equipped with an automatic focussing system. A distance between the object and the device when the effective acquisition of the image occurs is estimated based on the estimated speed and on the period of time separating a time of actuation triggering the process for acquiring the at least one image from the time of acquisition of the said effective acquisition, and the taking into account of the said distance by the automatic focussing system.

Abstract: A device includes a time-of-flight ranging sensor configured to transmit optical pulse signals and to receive return optical pulse signals. The time-of-flight ranging sensor processes the return optical pulse signals to sense distances to a plurality of objects and to generate a confidence value indicating whether one of the plurality of objects has a highly reflective surface. The time-of-flight sensor generates a range estimation signal including a plurality of sensed distances and the confidence value. The image capture device includes autofocusing circuitry coupled to the time-of-flight sensor to receive the range estimation signal and configured to control focusing based upon the sensed distances responsive to the confidence value indicating none of the plurality of objects has a highly reflective surface. The autofocusing circuitry controls focusing independent of the sensed distances responsive to the confidence value indicating one of the objects has a highly reflective surface.

Abstract: A time of flight range detection device includes a laser configured to transmit an optical pulse into an image scene, a return single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, a reference SPAD array, a range detection circuit coupled to the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array, and a laser driver circuit. The range detection circuit in operation determines a distance to an object based on signals from the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array. The laser driver circuit in operation varies an output power level of the laser in response to the determined distance to the object.

Abstract: At least one image of a moving object is acquired using an image acquisition device equipped with an automatic focussing system. A distance between the object and the device when the effective acquisition of the image occurs is estimated based on the estimated speed and on the period of time separating a time of actuation triggering the process for acquiring the at least one image from the time of acquisition of the said effective acquisition, and the taking into account of the said distance by the automatic focussing system.

Abstract: A flicker compensation method for images taken by an image sensor operating in rolling-shutter mode may include capturing a first image and capturing a second image offset in time from the first image by an integer or zero number of flicker periods, plus half a flicker period. The method may also include producing a compensated image based on an average of the first and second images.

Abstract: A flicker compensation method for images taken by an image sensor operating in rolling-shutter mode may include capturing a first image and capturing a second image offset in time from the first image by an integer or zero number of flicker periods, plus half a flicker period. The method may also include producing a compensated image based on an average of the first and second images.

Abstract: A device for determining the version of metal mask utilized for producing a given metal layer (Metal3) in an integrated circuit including a plurality of metal layers (Metal0, . . . , Metal3), and any modification made to the given metal layer (Metal3) requiring generation of a new version of the corresponding metal mask. The device includes a cell (Cell) integrated into the metal layer (Metal3) including at least a first voltage source (Vdd) for supplying a first voltage level, at least a second voltage source (GND) for supplying a second voltage level, and an output bus composed of at least one conductor wire (S1, S2) connected selectively to one of the first and second voltage sources as a function of the version of metal mask used to produce the metal layer, so as to generate a binary output signal representative of the mask version utilized.

Abstract: A device for determining the version of metal mask utilized for producing a given metal layer (Metal3) in an integrated circuit including a plurality of metal layers (Meta0, . . . , Metal3), and any modification made to the given metal layer (Metal3) requiring generation of a new version of the corresponding metal mask. The device includes a cell (Cell) integrated into the metal layer (Metal3) including at least a first voltage source (Vdd) for supplying a first voltage level, at least a second voltage source (GND) for supplying a second voltage level, and an output bus composed of at least one conductor wire (S1, S2) connected selectively to one of the first and second voltage sources as a function of the version of metal mask used to produce the metal layer, so as to generate a binary output signal representative of the mask version utilized.