Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor array, a scaling circuit, an output circuit and a timing control circuit. The image sensor array reads N pixel lines according to a read timing control signal to capture N lines of pixel data of a source image. The scaling circuit receives the N lines of pixel data according to a scaling timing control signal, and refers to a scaling factor to scale up the source image to generate an upscaled image having M lines of pixel data. M is a positive integer greater than N. The output circuit outputs the M lines of pixel data according to an output timing. The timing control circuit determines a receiving timing according to the output timing and the scaling factor to generate the scaling timing control signal, and determines a read timing according to the receiving timing to generate the read timing control signal.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor array, a scaling circuit, an output circuit and a timing control circuit. The image sensor array reads N pixel lines according to a read timing control signal to capture N lines of pixel data of a source image. The scaling circuit receives the N lines of pixel data according to a scaling timing control signal, and refers to a scaling factor to scale up the source image to generate an upscaled image having M lines of pixel data. M is a positive integer greater than N. The output circuit outputs the M lines of pixel data according to an output timing. The timing control circuit determines a receiving timing according to the output timing and the scaling factor to generate the scaling timing control signal, and determines a read timing according to the receiving timing to generate the read timing control signal.

Abstract: An image sensor includes pixels arranged in 1×2 sharing manner by which two neighboring pixels of a same column form a pixel group. Two neighboring bit lines are connected to a multiplexer, and the output of the multiplexer is connected to a readout circuit. Neighboring transfer transistors of a same row are controlled by different transfer signals.

Abstract: A mixture of fine powder including thorium oxide was converted to granulated powder by forming a first-green-body and heat treating the first-green-body at a high temperature to strengthen the first-green-body followed by granulation by crushing or milling the heat-treated first-green-body. The granulated powder was achieved by screening through a combination of sieves to achieve the desired granule size distribution. The granulated powder relies on the thermal bonding to maintain its shape and structure. The granulated powder contains no organic binder and can be stored in a radioactive or other extreme environment. The granulated powder was pressed and sintered to form a dense compact with a higher density and more uniform pore size distribution.

Abstract: A mixture of fine powder including thorium oxide was converted to granulated powder by forming a first-green-body and heat treating the first-green-body at a high temperature to strengthen the first-green-body followed by granulation by crushing or milling the heat-treated first-green-body. The granulated powder was achieved by screening through a combination of sieves to achieve the desired granule size distribution. The granulated powder relies on the thermal bonding to maintain its shape and structure. The granulated powder contains no organic binder and can be stored in a radioactive or other extreme environment. The granulated powder was pressed and sintered to form a dense compact with a higher density and more uniform pore size distribution.

Abstract: A digital camera and an image sensor readout method with black level calibration are disclosed. In a readout circuit of the digital camera, a black reference for black level calibration and an analog-to-digital conversion reference voltage for analog-to-digital conversion are generated from reference voltages provided by one voltage ladder. Device-to-device variations of sensor characteristics are considered when selecting the reference voltage for generating the black reference, and, a gain between the selected reference voltage and the black reference varies with a gain of a programmable gain amplifier coupled after a compensator. The compensator subtracts the black reference from a sensed signal that the readout circuit receives from an image sensor of the digital camera.

Abstract: An image sensor including a plurality of first sensing pixels, a plurality of second sensing pixels, and a readout circuit is disclosed. The first sensing pixels are disposed within a sensitive region. The second sensing pixels are disposed within a non-sensitive region. The readout circuit repeatedly reads the output signals of the second sensing pixels to obtain an offset. The readout circuit processes the output signals of the first sensing pixels according to the offset.

Abstract: A scintillator having a host lattice of MgAl2O4 was prepared by hot pressing under a vacuum environment a powder mixture of MgAl2O4, CeO2, and LiF.

Abstract: Ceramic nanopowder was sealed inside a metal container under a vacuum. The sealed evacuated container was forced through a severe deformation channel at an elevated temperature below the melting point of the ceramic nanopowder. The result was a dense nanocrystalline ceramic structure inside the metal container.

Abstract: A scintillator having a host lattice of MgAl2O4 was prepared by hot pressing under a vacuum environment a powder mixture of MgAl2O4, CeO2, and LiF.

Abstract: Ceramic nanopowder was sealed inside a metal container under a vacuum. The sealed evacuated container was forced through a severe deformation channel at an elevated temperature below the melting point of the ceramic nanopowder. The result was a dense nanocrystalline ceramic structure inside the metal container.

Abstract: Inorganic compositions were prepared by melt spinning. An inorganic melt was sent to a spinning wheel. As the melt contacts the wheel, it cools and is converted into a solid composition. A melt prepared from lanthanum halide powder and cerium halide powder was converted to a scintillator product of nanoparticles embedded in a glassy matrix.

Abstract: Non-toxic combustion decomposition accelerators and processes for their production for elemental analysis. The non-toxic accelerators may be either single component or multicomponent. The single component non-toxic accelerators are glass frit, niobium pentoxide, and inorganic phosphate compounds. The multicomponent accelerators are formed from a combination of the foregoing, and most preferably from (a) one or more of niobium pentoxide, tungsten oxide and mixtures thereof, and (b) one or more of glass frit, inorganic phosphate compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Refractory and electroconductive ceramic compositions having a density higher than 4 g/cm.sup.3, ultimate tensile strength higher than 250 MPa, Vickers microhardness higher than 1000 kg/mm.sup.2 and electric resistivity lower than 600 microohm.cm, essentially consisting of alumina and of a nitride component of at least one transition metal belonging to groups IVB, VB or VIB of the Periodic Chart of the Elements.

Abstract: A compact structure for a treadmill includes an improved mechanism for adjusting the slope of the treadmill and an improved arrangement for transmitting power to the tread belt. A snap connection is provided between the handrail and control unit support so that those two elements can be quickly disconnected and folded down when the treadmill is to be stored or moved.