Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing over time the appearance of a border around a displayed image. A graphics controller includes a number of border address registers and border changing parameter registers that are written into from a host device. In response to an activation signal from the host device and a timing signal, such as a vertical synchronization signal from a display device, a border changing circuit of the graphics controller changes the appearance of the border over time without further intervention from the host device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and machine readable media are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes determining at least one parameter from substantially all of first digital image data of a first known object, and determining at least one parameter from substantially all of second digital image data of an unidentified object. In addition, the method includes identifying the unidentified object, at least in part, by comparing the at least one parameters for the first and second image data, wherein the at least one parameter is a measure of the central tendency of data.

Abstract: A data pipeline and clock control (relationship) that allows image data from a camera to pass directly through a display controller to an LCD without being written into, temporarily stored, and read out of a display buffer, e.g. a VRAM, is provided. Elimination of the video memory (VRAM) lowers the chip cost, reduces the power requirements, reduces delay due to writing and reading from the video memory, and reduces the pin count since fewer power pins are required.

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: The present invention relates to methods for detecting the presence of ribonuclease enzymes, more specifically to methods that provide for a visual detection assay. The methods entail contacting a test sample suspected of containing ribonuclease activity with a substrate containing a ribonuclease-sensitive internucleotide linkage flanked directly or indirectly by a fluorescence reporter group and a dark quencher, such that if a ribonuclease activity is present in the sample, the ribonuclease-sensitive internucleotide linkage is cleaved and the fluorescence reporter group emits a visually detectable signal. The present invention further provides novel nucleic acid compositions used as substrates for such assays and encompasses kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method for generating a long exposure image is described. The method includes receiving image data for a plurality of images and adding the image data to a frame buffer. For each of the images, image data corresponding to a long exposure region is added to the frame buffer by adding a color value for each pixel from the image data to a corresponding color value of a corresponding pixel stored in the frame buffer, and storing the sum in the frame buffer. A device for generating long exposure images is also described.

Abstract: A structure and a method of forming the structure. The structure including: an integrated circuit chip having a set of wiring levels from a first wiring level to a last wiring level, each wiring level including one or more damascene, dual-damascene wires or damascene vias embedded in corresponding interlevel dielectric levels, a top surface of a last damascene or dual-damascene wire of the last wiring level substantially coplanar with a top surface of a corresponding last interlevel dielectric level; a capping layer in direct physical and electrical contact with a top surface of the last damascene or dual-damascene wire, the last damascene or dual-damascene wire comprising copper; a dielectric passivation layer formed on a top surface of the last interlevel dielectric level; and an aluminum pad in direct physical and electrical contact with the capping layer, a top surface of the aluminum pad not covered by the dielectric passivation layer.

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: A hardware implemented method for interpolating missing colors is provided. In this method, the missing colors of a raw image received from an image capture device are interpolated using a first interpolation algorithm if the raw image is to be displayed on a display panel. It should be appreciated that the raw image is obtained through a color filter array. However, if the raw image is destined for output to a host, the missing colors of the raw image are interpolated using a second interpolation algorithm. An apparatus and a display controller for interpolating missing colors are also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed, in one embodiment, to a method for generating memory addresses for accessing an image in which each pixel in a group of pixels has a luma component, but shares chroma components with other pixels of the group. A preferred method includes providing a memory, having a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions. First memory addresses may be generated, each of which corresponds to one of the first portions. Each first address defines a storage location for the luma components of one of the pixel groups. Second memory addresses may be generated, each of which corresponds to one of the second portions. Each second address defines a storage location for the chroma components of at least one of the pixel groups.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment is directed to a scaling unit for scaling an image. The scaling unit comprises a fetching unit, a vertical scaler, and a horizontal scaler. The fetching unit is for receiving a first group of pixels. The group includes at least one first pixel of a first line and at least one first pixel of a second line. The first pixel of the first line and the first pixel of the second line are vertically adjacent. The vertical scaler is for creating at least one vertically scaled pixel from the first group. The horizontal scaler is for creating at least one horizontally scaled pixel from at least two vertically scaled pixels. Preferred embodiments eliminate the need for a line buffer for temporarily storing horizontally scaled lines, and the processing overhead associated with its use.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a system includes a host, an image data source, and a graphics controller. The image data source provides a frame corresponding to a particular image size. The graphics controller is receives the frame. Preferably, the graphics controller is remote from the image data source and the host, and includes a fitting module for calculating a scale factor based on the image size, and a scaling unit for scaling the image according to the scale factor. In another preferred embodiment, a system includes a display device of a particular resolution, a memory, and a graphics controller. The memory is for storing a frame corresponding to a particular image size. The graphics controller preferably includes: a fitting module for calculating a scale factor based on the image size and the display device resolution, and a scaling unit for scaling the image according to the scale factor. The graphics controller may be adapted for retrieving the display device resolution from the display device.

Abstract: The invention is directed, in preferred embodiments, to method and apparatus for storing overlay pixels of a scaled overlay image over background pixels of a background image. The overlay and background pixels being defined by at least a luminance component and a color component. A preferred method comprises: (a) defining a first luminance value corresponding to a transparent overlay pixel; (b) defining a second luminance value corresponding to an opaque overlay pixel; and (c) where, for any first overlay pixels for which luminance components differ from the first and second luminance values, storing the luminance components so as to over-write the luminance components of the corresponding background pixels, and discarding the associated color components so as to leave remaining the color components of the corresponding background pixels. Preferably, the overlay and background pixels are defined in a sampling format providing for color information to be shared between at least two pixels.

Abstract: A system and method automatically creates message forwarding rules. The method can include receiving a message having at least one recipient and, for each of the at least one recipient, determining whether a rule exists including the recipient; if a blocking rule exists for the recipient, deleting the blocking rule and creating an active forwarding rule for the recipient; and, if no rule exists for the recipient, creating an active forwarding rule for the recipient.

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: An interface for an integrated circuit chip is provided. The interface includes a first port configured to receive a command signal indicating whether command information or data is being transferred to the integrated circuit chip. The interface further includes a second port configured to receive the command information and the data. Coded data detection logic configured to detect a transition of the command signal indicating that the command information and the data are coded is provided. The transition of the command signal occurs subsequent to a first clock cycle indicating a type of access to the integrated circuit. A method for reducing overhead for a serial interface when receiving or transmitting data is also included.

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: The present invention provides novel nucleic acid labeling techniques that generate nucleic acid probes with specific activities at least ten fold higher than the levels obtained using standard labeling methods. Specifically, the methods of the invention provides methods of producing nucleic acid probes that each comprises multiple labeled nucleotides. The methods can be used to generate RNA, DNA or hybrid probes. The invention also provides reaction mixtures and kits for the practice of the methods of the invention and compositions comprising the probes generated according to the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A graphics controller providing for efficient pixel value transformations. A graphics controller interfaces between a host and a graphics display device for displaying pixels having pixel values. The graphics controller includes a solarizing circuit having means for transforming an original pixel value to a transformed pixel value according to a transform function, said transform function having a negative slope at said original pixel value.