Abstract: A pixel within a pixel array of an integrated-circuit image sensor outputs an analog signal representative of accumulated photocharge. First and second analog-to-digital conversions of the analog signal are initiated while the pixel is outputting the analog signal, the first analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a low-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel and the second analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a brighter-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel.

Abstract: A control pulse is generated a first control signal line coupled to a transfer gate of a pixel to enable photocharge accumulated within a photosensitive element of the pixel to be transferred to a floating diffusion node, the first control signal line having a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. A feedthrough compensation pulse is generated on a second signal line of the pixel array that also has a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. The feedthrough compensation pulse is generated with a pulse polarity opposite the pulse polarity of the control pulse and is timed to coincide with the control pulse such that capacitive feedthrough of the control pulse to the floating diffusion node is reduced.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit image sensor generates, as constituent reference voltages of a first voltage ramp, a first sequence of linearly related reference voltages followed by a second sequence of exponentially related reference voltages.

Abstract: An image sensor architecture with multi-bit sampling is implemented within an image sensor system. A pixel signal produced in response to light incident upon a photosensitive element is converted to a multiple-bit digital value representative of the pixel signal. If the pixel signal exceeds a sampling threshold, the photosensitive element is reset. During an image capture period, digital values associated with pixel signals that exceed a sampling threshold are accumulated into image data.

Abstract: Pixels within an image sensor pixel array are sampled by corresponding conditional read circuitry. A zero pixel value is outputted for each pixel associated with a sample less than a conversion threshold, and a saturated pixel value is outputted for each pixel associated with a sample greater than or equal to a saturation threshold. Samples greater than or equal to the conversion threshold and less than the saturation threshold are converted by an ADC, and a converted pixel value is output for each associated above threshold pixel. The ADC (along with any corresponding amplifiers) are powered on for a variable period depending on the number of pixels needing conversion during the conversion of such samples during a read period, and are powered off for the remainder of the read period.

Abstract: A control pulse is generated a first control signal line coupled to a transfer gate of a pixel to enable photocharge accumulated within a photosensitive element of the pixel to be transferred to a floating diffusion node, the first control signal line having a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. A feedthrough compensation pulse is generated on a second signal line of the pixel array that also has a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. The feedthrough compensation pulse is generated with a pulse polarity opposite the pulse polarity of the control pulse and is timed to coincide with the control pulse such that capacitive feedthrough of the control pulse to the floating diffusion node is reduced.

Abstract: Described are imaging devices that employ patchworks of diffractive structures as focusing optics. Each diffractive structure best focuses light over a relatively narrow cone of incident angles, and provides suboptimal focusing for incident angles outside that cone. Different diffractive structures best focus different angular ranges, with the patchwork thus providing an overall focusable response for the relatively broad range of angles required to image a scene. Images can be captured without a lens, and cameras can be made smaller than those that are reliant on lenses and ray-optical focusing.

Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.

Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.

Abstract: In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a service for sharing, managing, and storing group-related information using existing technology relating to mobile devices, TVs, server computers, and distributed networks. Users in a defined group, such a family, can use devices, such as smart phones or tablets, to get updates from other users or to send information about themselves. The information can be displayed on authorized devices, some of which are generally used to display information, such as TVs. The content type of the communication is determined. The communication is stored in a database on the central server if the communication is a broadcast message or an event message. If the communication is a query message, the central sever responds to the message. If it is an update message, the database in the central server is updated. The group information is displayed in real-time on one or more devices and is combined in one place.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for allowing a device on a home network to access a service outside the home network is provided, the method comprising: receiving, at a server outside the home network, a registration message from the service; storing details about the service in a storage accessible by the server, wherein the details include an address for the service; receiving, at the server, a request to locate a service, wherein the request is received from the home network; locating details about a matching service stored in the storage, wherein the matching service meets criteria specified in the request from the home network; and providing the details about the matching service to the home network, enabling the device to directly contact the matching service using the address specified in the details about the matching service.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images; a memory for storing the captured digital images; an interface to a communications device for transmitting the stored images to a service provider; wherein the digital interface automatically transfers images to the network service provider during a specified time period. Rechargeable batteries may be provided for powering the digital camera; wherein the communications device recharges the batteries using the interface. The camera may further include a display for displaying digital files stored in the digital memory and displaying the at least one order status confirmation file on the display.

Abstract: A system that provides rapid detection of modifications to content on a removable storage device. The system includes a removable storage device having a code for indicating that modifications were made to the content on the removable storage device. The system also includes a media processor for reading the code of the removable storage device, comparing the code to a previously stored code in a memory, and mounting a pre-established file system database structure for the removable storage device when the value of the code of the removable storage device equals the value of the previously stored code.

Abstract: A system that provides rapid detection of modifications to content on a removable storage device. The system includes a removable storage device having a code for indicating that modifications were made to the content on the removable storage device. The system also includes a media processor for reading the code of the removable storage device, comparing the code to a previously stored code in a memory, and mounting a pre-established file system database structure for the removable storage device when the value of the code of the removable storage device equals the value of the previously stored code. More specifically, following power-on, or insertion of the removable storage device into the processing device, the processing device compares the one or more codes read from the removable storage device to the last stored value of the one or more codes in the processing device to determine if the contents of the removable storage device were changed since it was last used by the processing device.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing and viewing images transmitted from a remote location to a portable imaging device, wherein each of the transmitted images having associated geographic information. The method comprises the steps of: providing the portable imaging device adapted to receive images transmitted from the remote location; determining a geographic location of the portable imaging device; and transmitting at least one image to the portable imaging device in an order dependent on the location of the portable imaging device.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images; a memory for storing the captured digital images; an interface to a communications device for transmitting the stored images to a service provider; wherein the digital interface automatically transfers images to the network service provider during a specified time period. Rechargeable batteries may be provided for powering the digital camera; wherein the communications device recharges the batteries using the interface. The camera may further include a display for displaying digital files stored in the digital memory and displaying the at least one order status confirmation file on the display.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images; a memory for storing the captured digital images; an interface to a communications device for transmitting the stored images to a service provider; wherein the digital interface automatically transfers images to the network service provider during a specified time period. Rechargeable batteries may be provided for powering the digital camera; wherein the communications device recharges the batteries using the interface. The camera may further include a display for displaying digital files stored in the digital memory and displaying the at least one order status confirmation file on the display.

Abstract: A method for correcting the date/time values associated with digital images captured by a digital camera includes using a digital camera to capture and store a plurality of digital images and to store an associated initial date/time value for each of the plurality of digital images provided by a real-time clock in the digital camera; and establishing communications between the digital camera and a separate device providing a current date/time value. The method further includes determining a current date/time value in the digital camera, and a difference between the current date/time value in the digital camera and the current date/time value in the separate device; and modifying the initial date/time values associated with each of the plurality of digital images to compensate for the difference between the current date/time value in the digital camera and the current date/time value in the separate device in order to correct the date/time values associated with each of the plurality of digital images.

Abstract: A portable imaging device for accessing and viewing image wherein each of the images has associated aspect ratio information. The imaging device comprises: a memory for storing at least one image and associated aspect ratio information; a display for displaying at least one of the images stored in the memory and simultaneously displaying a user interface control window; and user controls for selecting commands displayed in the user interface control window; wherein a location of the user interface control window displayed in the display is dependent upon the aspect ratio information.