Abstract: A system for translating a portrait-oriented software address to a portrait-oriented yet landscape-configured display address. Based on the orientation of a display device, an address translation system either passes the software address “as is” or translates the address to represent a portrait-oriented display address. An address generator operates alternatively in column-forward and column-reverse modes, and additionally operates alternatively in row forward and row reverse modes to selectively rotate the image.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting errors in transmitted data. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of transmitting data, accumulating a transmit sum, receiving the data, accumulating a receive sum, comparing the transmit and receive sums; and evaluating the result of the comparison for determining a transmission accuracy metric.

Abstract: The invention is directed, in one embodiment, to a method of: (a) receiving raw image data representing an image, (b) transforming the raw image data to change at least one dimension of the image, and (c) storing the raw image data in a memory subsequent to the step (b) of transforming the image data. The step (b) preferably transforms the raw image data by cropping or scaling the image.

Abstract: A method for determining a distance to an object is described. In the method, a size of the object is determined, and an electronic image of the object is captured and displayed on a display device. The size of the image of the object is determined. The distance to the object is calculated using the size of the object, a focal length of the imaging module, and the size of the image of the object. The distance to the object is then displayed on the display device. An imaging device and graphics controller having range-finding functionality are also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus, methods, and systems for calculating parameters from particular pixel components of first and second frames, and triggering a function pertaining to the image processing of a later-created frame if a particular difference between the two parameters is detected. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for triggering a processing function for a frame of image data. The method includes: (a) calculating a first parameter from pixels of a first region of a first frame; (b) calculating a second parameter from pixels of a corresponding second region of a second frame; (c) comparing the first parameter with the second parameter; and (d) triggering a function if a particular difference between the first and second parameters is detected. The calculating of the first parameter includes summing at least one particular component of the pixels of the first region.

Abstract: A graphics controller for animating an overlay is described. The graphics controller includes a host interface for communicating with an external processor and a plurality of registers in communication with the host interface. Logic is configured to periodically change coordinates of an overlay image. The logic responds to values stored in the registers to cause display registers containing the coordinates to be updated every x number of frame refreshes, wherein x is a positive integer.

Abstract: Methods for manipulating the appearance of a source image are provided. One method includes specifying at least one first parameter for changing pixel data defining a source image, fetching the pixel data from a memory, writing pixel data to a display device, and causing a first change to the pixel data corresponding to the at least one first parameter before the step of writing pixel data to the display device. A step of discontinuing the step of causing a first change is also provided. This step reverses the first change. Also included are a graphics controller and a system for manipulating the appearance of a source image.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to an image processing device for receiving pixel data provided to the device as follows: it is grouped into frames, each pixel datum has an associated value, and first, second, and third pixel data correspond respectively to first, second, and third frames. The image processing device is adapted for processing the pixel data, and has a low-power motion monitoring mode and a capture mode. Further, the pixel data is preferably provided by a data source external to the device. The image processing device preferably includes a control unit for: (a) receiving the pixel data; (b) summing the values of the first pixel data to produce a first total value for the first frame; (c) summing the values of the second pixel data to produce a second total value for the second frame, and (d) causing the image processing device to process the third pixel data only if the difference between the first and second total values exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus for efficient rotation of an image. The image is preferably defined by an image matrix in which each datum of the image corresponds to a particular image row and a particular image column of the image matrix. A preferred method includes mapping each of the datum into a memory matrix organized into a plurality of memory rows and a plurality of memory columns. The mapping preferably includes mapping into one of the memory rows: (a) at least two data, both of which correspond to one of the image rows, and (b) at least two image vector portions, a first one of the image vector portions including at least two data each corresponding to one of the image columns, and a second one of the image vector portions including at least two other data each corresponding to another of the image columns.

Abstract: A display controller is provided. The display controller includes a memory configured to store image data and a register configured to store data representing a border color. Auto-centering circuitry configured to cause the image data to be displayed in a center region of a display while surrounding the center region with the border color is included. The auto-centering circuitry includes selection logic in communication with the memory and the register. The auto-centering circuitry further includes selection control logic in communication with the selection logic. The selection control logic is configured to select the image data or the border color to be output from the selection logic. Counter circuitry tracking a vertical and horizontal position on the display corresponding to the output from the selection logic is included within the auto-centering circuitry.

Abstract: An interface for a graphics controller enabling communication with a camera module is provided. The interface includes a first port configured to receive serial image data from a camera module and a second port configured to receive a clock signal, wherein the clock signal is utilized to indicate both a horizontal synchronization and a vertical synchronization for frames of image data received from the camera module. An image capture device having the serial interface and methods for reducing a number of signals utilized for an interface receiving image data are also included.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to an image data processing unit providing for high efficiency data capture for compression encoding. In one embodiment, a control circuit is adapted to cause a data provider, such as a camera, to output pixel data in one of two modes. In a first mode, the data provider is caused to output pixel data in raster order. In a second mode, the data provider is caused to output pixel data in block order. The blocks have a y dimension and an x dimension. The y dimension is at least two data elements, and the x dimension is at least two and less than the a complete raster scan line of data elements. Another embodiment includes a memory remote from the data provider. The memory is for storing the pixel data output by the data provider in the second mode. The storage capacity of the memory is limited to substantially one of the blocks of pixel data in one embodiment. Preferably, a compression encoder for compression encoding the pixel data output by the data provider is provided.

Abstract: A graphics controller for adjusting contrast of a digital image is provided. The graphics controller includes a graphics controller memory configured for storing a histogram table and a contrast adjustment module in communication with the graphics controller memory. The contrast adjustment module is configured to read frequency values from the histogram table and to generate a histogram equalization function based on the frequency values. Furthermore, the contrast adjustment module is configured to apply the histogram equalization function to the digital image. A hardware implemented method for adjusting the contrast of the digital image and a contrast adjustment module are also described.

Abstract: A hardware implemented method for reducing noise in an image is provided. In this method, a difference between color values of corresponding pixels within the image is calculated, and the calculated difference is compared with a threshold value. The threshold value is defined as a rate of color value change between the corresponding pixels. If the calculated difference is greater than the threshold value, the color value of at least one of the corresponding pixels is replaced with an average color value. A graphics controller and image capture device interface for reducing noise in an image also are described.

Abstract: A system and method for conserving memory bandwidth while supporting multiple sprites includes a memory device that stores main display data and the multiple sprites for presentation upon a display device. A display controller populates a fetch table with pixel source identifiers that indicate pixel sources from either the main display data or one of the multiple sprites. The pixel source identifiers correspond to display pixels of the display device. The display controller then utilizes the pixel source identifiers to directly locate the appropriate display pixels from the various pixel sources for providing to the display device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming data from multiple devices over a single data bus includes causing first and second data streams produced respectively by first and second devices to be synchronized, and inserting into each of the data streams a plurality of corresponding high impedance states to form respective modified data streams in such a manner that the data corresponding to one of the modified data streams is present at the same time that another of the modified data streams is in a high impedance state, and superimposing the modified data streams on the bus for selecting the data.

Abstract: A system for configuring a chip to perform certain operations is provided. The system includes a CPU. The CPU is in communication with a graphics controller. The graphics controller includes a non-volatile memory for storing a look up table (LUT). The graphics controller further includes a register port. The CPU provides a LUT value to the register port. Look up circuitry, which is in communication with the LUT register port, receives the LUT value from the register port and the LUT circuitry retrieves a corresponding LUT sequence from the LUT. The LUT sequence represents an operation to be performed by the LUT circuitry. The system is further provided with a register block, which can be programmed with values based on the operation to be performed.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting image data in a plurality of formats simultaneously over a data path. Successive data blocks, each comprising compressed image data representing a block of pixels of a first image are transmitted over a data path. During intervals between transmission of the successive data blocks, image data representing at least a portion of a second image is transmitted along the data path. An imaging module and imaging device capable of transmitting high resolution compressed data and lo resolution uncompressed data simultaneously over a data path are also provided.

Abstract: A hardware implemented method for adjusting colors of an image is provided. In this method, lookup table (LUT) values stored in an LUT are copied to a memory to create a copy of the LUT values, whereby the LUT values define the original colors of the image. Subsequently, the LUT values stored in the LUT are modified to change the colors of the image. To restore the image to its original colors, the LUT values stored in the LUT that were modified are overwritten with the copy of the LUT values stored in the memory. A graphics controller and an LUT for adjusting colors of an image also are described.

Abstract: The use of a bus clock is eliminated in communication between a cpu, or mpu, and a register block. The communication between the cpu/mpu and the register block is made combinatorial, such that the cpu/mpu does not require any acknowledge or wait signal from the register block to know when to proceed with a requested write operation. The register block has both a write request input and a read request input, each of which is separately actuated to initiate a write operation or read operation, respectively. The cpu/mpu initiates a write operation by actuating the write request input while maintaining the read request input negated. The register block responds to actuation of its write request input by getting ready for initiate the requested write operation, and waiting for a signal letting it know if the requested operation is a valid write operation. If the requested write operation is deemed valid, then the register block executes the requested write operation only upon the negation of the write request.