Abstract: A system and a method for distributing rewards to consumers of mobile devices in exchange for preferred consumer actions are disclosed. A reward server of the system obtains a reward offering from a reward provider, which specifies the reward and required consumer actions associated with the reward. The reward server creates a clickable link for the reward and presents the clickable link to the consumer. The consumer can perform various actions through the clickable link and the reward server monitors the consumer actions. Responsive to the verification of the consumer and the consumer actions, the reward server provides the corresponding reward in terms of a predefined amount of free mobile airtime to the consumer.

Abstract: A system and a method for distributing and redeeming coupons through mobile devices of consumers are disclosed. Consumers submit a coupon and purchase proof to the redemption server through mobile devices. Once the purchase information is confirmed, a reward is granted to the consumers along with a survey with questions about consumer demographic information and product related questions. The consumers' answers to the survey questions help target the future coupon distributions.

Abstract: A system receives from a client a job comprising confidential information. The system then distorts the confidential information associated with the job. Next, the system divides the job into multiple discrete tasks such that the distorted confidential information is further divided and the confidential information cannot be deciphered from an individual task. The tasks are then delegated to respondents in different geographical locations with different social preferences. Because of these differences the respondents are unlikely to communicate information about their job with each other. The respondents receive the job securely through their electronic devices, perform the delegated tasks, and provide the system with responses to the tasks through the devices. The system receives the responses for individual tasks, deduces a unified job response from the received responses and transmits the unified response to the client.

Abstract: A job is divided into tasks belonging to various levels in a hierarchy such that the tasks of one level of the hierarchy depend on the performance of the tasks of another level. The divided tasks are assigned to the respondents and, once the respondents' responses have been determined to be sufficiently accurate, the responses are assembled into a final result. The respondents may be rewarded for completion of their assigned tasks, and the rewards may be structured such that the rewards for the completed tasks create an informal hierarchy amongst the respondents.

Abstract: A job is divided into multiple discrete tasks that can be performed by multiple different workers of a distributed workforce. The tasks are assigned to the workers through their mobile phones or other communication devices, and the workers perform the assigned tasks and provide responses to the tasks through the devices. Workers are compensated, in part, based in part on the quality of their responses. Once the workers' responses have been determined to be sufficiently accurate, the responses are assembled into a final result. To manage the distributed workforce, the system stores information for each worker, such as an identification of the worker, the tasks previously completed by the worker, and the quality of performance of those tasks. The stored worker information is used to assign tasks to workers, to compensate workers, and in general to manage the workforce.

Abstract: A job is divided into multiple discrete tasks that can be performed by multiple different workers of a distributed workforce. The tasks are assigned to the workers through their mobile phones or other communication devices, and the workers perform the assigned tasks and provide responses to the tasks through the devices. Workers are compensated, in part, based in part on the quality of their responses. Once the workers' responses have been determined to be sufficiently accurate, the responses are assembled into a final result. To manage the distributed workforce, the system stores information for each worker, such as an identification of the worker, the tasks previously completed by the worker, and the quality of performance of those tasks. The stored worker information is used to assign tasks to workers, to compensate workers, and in general to manage the workforce.

Abstract: An image capture method in a digital image sensor implements a continuous sampling technique with a massively parallel thermometer-code analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) technique to generate pixel data having an intrinsic to an ultra-high dynamic range. In one embodiment, the method includes, after an initial exposure period, sampling pixel intensity values at the pixel elements of an image sensor at multiple sampling intervals within a snapshot of a scene; providing an analog reference voltage corresponding to a decrementing digital count value; and comparing the pixel intensity values to the analog reference voltage at each of the multiple sampling intervals. If the pixel intensity value of a first pixel element is less than the analog reference voltage at a first exposure time, an output signal having a first value is generated and the digital count value is recorded as pixel data associated with the first pixel element.

Abstract: An image capture method in a digital image sensor implements a continuous sampling technique with a massively parallel thermometer-code analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) technique to generate pixel data having an intrinsic to an ultra-high dynamic range. In one embodiment, the method includes, after an initial exposure period, sampling pixel intensity values at the pixel elements of an image sensor at multiple sampling intervals within a snapshot of a scene; providing an analog reference voltage corresponding to a decrementing digital count value; and comparing the pixel intensity values to the analog reference voltage at each of the multiple sampling intervals. If the pixel intensity value of a first pixel element is less than the analog reference voltage at a first exposure time, an output signal having a first value is generated and the digital count value is recorded as pixel data associated with the first pixel element.

Abstract: An image capture method in a digital image sensor implements a continuous sampling technique with a massively parallel thermometer-code analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) technique to generate pixel data having an intrinsic to an ultra-high dynamic range. In one embodiment, the method includes, after an initial exposure period, sampling pixel intensity values at the pixel elements of an image sensor at multiple exposure times within a snapshot of a scene; providing an analog reference voltage corresponding to a decrementing digital count value; and comparing the pixel intensity values to the analog reference voltage at each of the multiple exposure times. If the pixel intensity value of a first pixel element is less than the analog reference voltage at a first exposure time, an output signal having a first value is generated and the digital count value is recorded as pixel data associated with the first pixel element.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixel elements where the array of pixel elements outputting pixel data representing an image of a scene, and a two-dimensional array of selectively transmissive filters superimposed on the two-dimensional array of pixel elements, whereby each pixel element in the array of pixel elements is disposed to capture a first and a second color spectra of visible light. In one embodiment, the image sensor is a digital pixel sensor where the array of pixel elements is a sensor array of digital pixels, each of the digital pixels outputting digital signals as pixel data. In another embodiment, the pixel elements of the image sensor output analog signals as pixel data. In this manner, light intensity values for two different color spectra are optically summed at the pixel level, providing pixel values that are suitable for use in interlaced video display.

Abstract: A method for storing image information in a digital pixel sensor is disclosed for reducing the size of the memory needed to facilitate multiple sampling. An image sensor includes a sensor array of pixel elements generating pixel data in k bits and a data memory for storing pixel data of each pixel element. In one embodiment, the data memory in the digital pixel sensor stores an m-bit time index value and the lower k?1 bits of the pixel data for pixel data exceeding the predetermined threshold level in all exposure times except the last. When pixel data in the last exposure time is captured, the data memory stores the time index value in less than m bits and stores the k-bit pixel data. The size of the data memory is minimized while preserving the image quality. The method of the present invention provides the benefits of reducing manufacturing cost and improving production yield.

Abstract: A method for generating coefficients for a set of convolution kernels for use in interpolating pixel values in an image sensor is described. The coefficients are computed by applying a constraint matrix specifying one or more constraints. The method includes generating ideal sensor data representative of a test image in a first color plane, generating sensor data of the test image, generating f data matrices including pixel data from multiple neighborhoods of pixels in the pixel array, and determining the coefficients for f convolution kernels using the ideal sensor data, the f data matrices and by applying one or more constraints. The use of a constraint matrix greatly simplifies the computation of the coefficients and can be applied in image processing to generate a high quality full color image.

Abstract: A method for storing image information in a digital pixel sensor is disclosed for reducing the size of the memory needed to facilitate multiple sampling and correlated double sampling. In one embodiment, an image sensor includes a sensor array of pixel elements generating digital pixel data and a data memory for storing pixel data of each pixel element. The data memory allocates for each pixel element an m-bit pixel data field for storing pixel data and an n-bit CDS data field for storing reset value associated with each pixel element. The data memory stores m+n bits of pixel data in the pixel data field and the CDS data field for pixel data exceeding the predetermined threshold level. The data memory stores m bits of pixel data in the pixel data field for pixel data not exceeding the predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a sensor array, a companding circuit and a data memory. The sensor array includes a two-dimensional array of pixel elements and outputs digital signals as k-bit pixel data representing an image of a scene. The companding circuit is operable to compand the k-bit pixel data into h bits, h being less than k. The data memory is in communication with the sensor array for storing the h-bit pixel data for each of the pixel elements. In one embodiment, the companding circuit applies a transfer function which is linear for low intensity values and logarithm for high intensity values.

Abstract: A method for storing image information in a digital pixel sensor is disclosed for reducing the size of the memory needed to facilitate multiple sampling. An image sensor includes a sensor array of pixel elements generating pixel data in k bits and a data memory for storing pixel data of each pixel elements. In one embodiment, the data memory in the digital pixel sensor stores an m-bit time index value and the lower k−1 bits of the pixel data for pixel data exceeding the predetermined threshold level in all exposure times except the last. When pixel data in the last exposure time is captured, the data memory stores the time index value in less than m bits and stores the k-bit pixel data. The size of the data memory is minimized while preserving the image quality. The method of the present invention provides the benefits of reducing manufacturing cost and improving production yield.