Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving a first plurality of digital codes from a TDC; generating a coarse histogram from the first plurality of digital codes; detecting a peak coarse bin from the plurality of coarse bins; after receiving the first plurality of digital codes, receiving a second plurality of digital codes from the TDC; and generating a fine histogram from the second plurality of digital codes based on the detected peak coarse bin, where a fine histogram depth range is narrower than a coarse histogram depth range, where a lower fine histogram depth is lower or equal to a lower coarse peak depth, and where a higher fine histogram depth is higher or equal to a higher coarse peak depth.

Abstract: An automated apparatus can provide pre-analytical processing of samples, racking and forwarding to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. The apparatus may have a controller that implements an auto-learn process to teach robotic handlers the locations within the workspace(s) of the apparatus. A robotic sample handler may include a sensor configured to generate a detection signal when in a near vicinity of a fiducial beacon in the workspace of the apparatus for biological sample preparation, preprocessing and/or diagnostic assay performed by one or more analyzers of the automated apparatus. The controller may control the robotic sample handler to conduct a search pattern so that a location of the fiducial beacon may be detected and thereafter calculated to obtain a more accurate location of the beacon. The calculated positions may then serve as a basis for the controlled movement of samples by the robot to and from locations of the workspace.

Abstract: A chair includes first support comprising a passageway, a second support, a body of material extending from the first support to the second support, a rod extending between the first support and the second support, and a threaded nut. The rod includes a main body and a threaded portion sized to be received by the passageway. The threaded nut is configured to be positioned about and to interface with the threaded portion. Rotating the rod clockwise causes the main body to move laterally away from the support.

Abstract: An optical ranging system includes: a first phase-locked loop (PLL) configured to generate a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal; a second PLL configured to generate a third frequency signal based on a control signal that is formed using the first frequency signal; an optical source coupled to the second PLL, where an intensity of an optical signal emitted by the optical source is configured to be modulated in accordance with the third frequency signal; a first single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) configured to receive a reflected optical signal; a time-to-digital converter (TDC) coupled to the first SPAD, where the TDC is configured to generate digital samples by sampling an output signal of the first SPAD under control of the second frequency signal; a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference signal; and a mixer configured to mix the reference signal and the digital samples from the TDC.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes at least one photodetector configured to be reverse biased at a voltage exceeding a breakdown voltage by an excess bias voltage. At least one control unit is configured to adjust the reverse bias of the at least one photodetector. A method of operating an optical sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving a first plurality of digital codes from a time-to-digital converter (TDC); TDC; generating a coarse histogram from the first plurality of digital codes; detecting a peak coarse bin from the plurality of coarse bins; after receiving the first plurality of digital codes, receiving a second plurality of digital codes from the TDC; and generating a fine histogram from the second plurality of digital codes based on the detected peak coarse bin, where a fine histogram depth range is narrower than a coarse histogram depth range, where a lowest fine histogram depth is lower or equal to a lowest coarse peak depth, and where a highest fine histogram depth is higher or equal to a highest coarse peak depth.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for on-demand issuance of private keys for encrypted video transmission are described. A video processing service of a provider network receives a request from a computing device outside the provider network to begin video processing of video data generated by a video source device outside the provider network. The video processing service sends instructions to a video encoding device associated with the video source device to establish the connection for video transmission. The video processing service sends an encryption key to the video encoding device, and sends a decryption key to a video decryption engine. Subsequently, the video processing service receives video data from the video source device, via the video encoding device.

Abstract: A ToF sensor includes an array of pixels having first and second subsets of pixels, first and second pluralities of TDCs, a routing bus having first and second pluralities of bus drivers, and a controller configured to: when the first subset of pixels is active and the second subset of pixels is not active, control the first plurality of bus drivers to route events from half of the pixels of the first subset to the first plurality of TDCs and control the first and second pluralities of bus drivers to route events from the other half of the pixels of the first subset to the second plurality of TDCs, and when the first subset of pixels is not active and the second subset of pixels is active, control the first plurality of bus drivers to route events from the second subset of pixels to the first plurality of TDCs.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.

Abstract: The transcoding of a contribution feed into a plurality of output feeds in various formats can be monitored to ensure that unnecessary data is not transmitted in the contribution feed. Each output feed can be transcoded using respective values for a set of video format parameters. These values can be aggregated and analyzed to determine the lowest values for individual parameters that are being used for the various output feeds. A video encoder for the contribution feed can then dynamically modify the video format parameters used to encode the contribution feed in order to avoid encoding and transmitting data that is not actually used for these output streams, which can conserve resources such as network bandwidth, or enable those resources to be used more advantageously to send data that will actually result in higher quality video presentation in the output formats for current limitations or conditions.

Abstract: A contribution encoder receives media from a source, encodes the media, and transmits the encoded media to a network-adaptive encoding system for eventual distribution to end users. The network-adaptive encoding system tests a network connection between the contribution encoder and the network-adaptive encoding system before transmission of the encoded media begins. The network-adaptive encoding system uses the results of the test to select appropriate values for parameters that define the encoding and transmission of the media. The selected parameter values are transmitted by the network-adaptive encoding system to the contribution encoder for use in encoding and transmitting the media.

Abstract: An electronic device includes laser emitters, and a laser driver generating a laser drive signal for the laser emitters based upon a feedback control signal. A steering circuit selectively steers the laser drive signal to a different selected one of the plurality of laser emitters and prevents the laser drive signal from being steered to non-selected ones of the plurality of laser emitters, during each of a plurality of time periods. Control circuitry senses a magnitude of a current of the laser drive signal and generates the feedback control signal based thereupon. The feedback control signal is generated so as to cause the laser driver to generate the laser drive signal as having a current with a substantially constant magnitude.

Abstract: The transcoding of a contribution feed into a plurality of output feeds in various formats can be monitored to ensure that unnecessary data is not transmitted in the contribution feed. Each output feed can be transcoded using respective values for a set of video format parameters. These values can be aggregated and analyzed to determine the lowest values for individual parameters that are being used for the various output feeds. A video encoder for the contribution feed can then dynamically modify the video format parameters used to encode the contribution feed in order to avoid encoding and transmitting data that is not actually used for these output streams, which can conserve resources such as network bandwidth, or enable those resources to be used more advantageously to send data that will actually result in higher quality video presentation in the output formats for current limitations or conditions.

Abstract: A distance from an apparatus to at least one object is determined by generating a first signal and generating light modulated by the first signal to be emitted from the apparatus. Light reflected by the at least one object is detected using a Time-of-flight detector array, wherein each array element of the Time-of-flight detector array generates an output signal from a series of photon counts over a number of consecutive non-overlapping time periods. The output signals are compared to the first signal to determine at least one signal phase difference. From this at least one signal phase difference a distance from the apparatus to the at least one object is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for management of bandwidth shared by a plurality of video content encoders is provided. A management service coordinates an unequal allocation of available bandwidth among a set of encoding nodes. The management service can receive measured bandwidth attributes from a plurality of encoding nodes to determine a total available bandwidth. The management service can then allocate the available bandwidth based by applying allocation criteria that can include performance criteria, financial criteria or other prioritization criteria. The management service can then transmit the allocated bandwidth to the encoding nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for management of bandwidth shared by a plurality of video content encoders is provided. A management service coordinates an unequal allocation of available bandwidth among a set of encoding nodes. A management service can receive measured bandwidth attributes from a plurality of encoding nodes to determine a total available bandwidth. The management service can receive measured bandwidth attributes from a plurality of encoding nodes that is transmitted to the management service in accordance with an IoT based messaging protocol. The management service can then allocate the available bandwidth based on different criteria. The management service can then transmit the allocated bandwidth to the encoding nodes using the IoT based messaging protocol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an imaging device includes a light-emitting device, a driving circuit, a return single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array and readout circuitry. The driving circuit generates a driving signal, and the light-emitting device generates an optical pulse based on the driving signal. The return SPAD array is configured to receive a first portion of the optical pulse that is reflected by an object in an image scene. The readout circuitry receives a signal indicative of the received first portion of the optical pulse, and a signal indicative of the driving signal, and determines a distance between the imaging device and the object based on a difference between a time of receiving the signal indicative of the received first portion of the optical pulse and a time of receiving the signal indicative of the driving signal.