Abstract: A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a micro-controller integrating therein a dedicated image processor for processing the sensed image, a bus interface, and an image sensor interface; and a plurality of processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch, the plurality of processing units provided within the micro-controller to form a multi-core processing unit for the processor. The image sensor interface provides communication between the micro-controller and the image sensor. The bus interface provides communication between the micro-controller and devices external to the micro-controller other than the image sensor.

Abstract: A portable handheld device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; an orientation sensor for determining a rotation of the image sensor; and a system-on-chip processor having integrated on a common wafer a CPU for processing a script language, a multi-core processor for processing an image captured by the image sensor, and a common synchronization register. The multi-core processor includes multiple processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch. Each processing unit stores one or more synchronization bits for identifying which of the other processing units are functioning as a single process therewith. The common synchronization register contains therein synchronization bits from each of the processing units.

Abstract: A camera unit includes a display for displaying an image to be captured; an image sensor for digitally capturing the displayed image; a card reader having a linear scanner for scanning a surface of a removable card to sense a plurality of dots printed on the surface of the removable card, the plurality of dots representing a bit pattern encoding a program script; a card interface for receiving a signal from the card reader indicative of the sensed plurality of dots printed on the surface of the card, and decoding the sensed plurality of dots into the program script; and a printer configured to print a distorted image on print media, the distorted image being a version of the captured image distorted in accordance with the program script. The card reader comprises a moulding housing therewithin a plurality of light sources, the moulding being transparent to light from the light sources and shaped to focus the light on the removable card.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus is provided having a digital camera, a display, a miniature keyboard, a network interface, and four interconnected processing units arranged to jointly run programs for the operation of the digital camera, display, miniature keyboard, and network interface.

Abstract: A portable device that has first and second image sensors and a central processor. The central processor has a first sensor interface and a second sensor interface for receiving data from the from the first and second image sensors respectively such that the data is simultaneously processed in the multiple processing units. The central processor integrates the multiple processing units and the first and second sensor interfaces onto a single chip.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a portable handheld device includes a CPU for processing a script; a multi-core processor for processing an image, and a DRAM for storing image data. The CPU and the multi-core processor are integrated on one chip and share a data cache provided on the same chip. The DRAM is provided external to the chip. The portable handheld device further comprises a DRAM interface for receiving and sending data to the DRAM, the DRAM interface being provided on the same chip and sharing the data cache with the CPU and the multi-core processor.

Abstract: A camera system including: a substrate having a coding pattern printed thereon and a handheld digital camera device. The camera device includes: a digital camera unit having a first image sensor for capturing images and a color display for displaying captured images to a user; an integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the first image sensor and color display; decoding an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate, the printed coding pattern employing Reed-Solomon encoding; and performing an action in the handheld digital camera device based on the decoded coding pattern. The decoding includes the steps of: detecting target structures defining the extent of the data area; determining the data area using the detected target structures; and Reed-Solomon decoding the coding pattern contained in the determined data area.

Abstract: A portable hand-held device is provided having a digital camera and a processor. The digital camera has two image sensors respectively arranged to capture corresponding images of the same scene. The processor image processes the images captured by the image sensors so as to output three dimensional stereoscopic images. The processor has two interfaces for respectively receiving the images captured by the image sensors.

Abstract: A digital camera that has a CMOS image sensor and a central processor. The central processor has four processing units and an image sensor interface integrated onto a single chip. The image sensor interface receives data from the CMOS image sensor and the four processing units simultaneously process the data.

Abstract: A portable hand-held device is provided having a processor chip. The processor chip has, on-chip, a network interface and four interconnected processing units. The processing units are configured to process information communicated over the network interface.

Abstract: A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a processor for processing the sensed image; a multi-core processing unit provided in the processor, the multi-core processing unit having a plurality of processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch; and an image sensor interface for converting signals from the image sensor to a format readable by the multi-core processing unit, the image sensor interface sharing a wafer substrate with the processor. A transfer of data from the image sensor interface to the plurality of processing units is conducted entirely on the shared wafer substrate.

Abstract: A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a processor for processing the sensed image; a quad-core processing unit provided in the processor, the quad-core processing unit having four processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch; and an image sensor interface for converting signals from the image sensor to a format readable by the quad-core processing unit, the image sensor interface sharing a wafer substrate with the processor. A transfer of data from the image sensor interface to the quad-core processing unit is conducted entirely on the shared wafer substrate.

Abstract: A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; and a micro-controller provided on a wafer substrate, the micro-controller integrating on the same wafer substrate as a system-on-chip device, a plurality of processing units and an image sensor interface for effecting data communication between the image sensor the plurality of processing units.

Abstract: An image capture and processing (ICP) integrated circuit (IC) is provided for a camera. The ICP IC includes an imaging array which, in turn, includes image pixel capture sensors arranged in rows and columns. A row decoder extends along a first edge of the imaging array and is configured to enable sensor rows in the imaging array. An analog signal processor (ASP) system extends along a second edge of the imaging array and is configured to amplify signals from enabled sensors in columns of the imaging array. A control circuit is configured to sequentially enable the rows so that the ASP can amplify signals from all of the sensors in the imaging array, one row at a time.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having an elongate support having a plurality of internal webs protruding from a base section to define a plurality of parallel fluid supply channels, a shim supported by the support and defining a plurality of rows of openings through which fluid from respective supply channels is supplied, and a plurality of elongate printhead modules supported serially on the shim. Each module defines a plurality of fluid supply passages through which fluid passes to fluid ejection nozzles from respective rows of the openings. Either end of each module defines complementary formations such that adjacent modules nest together.

Abstract: A quad-core processor for a hand-held device with a color display, has an image sensor interface for receiving data from an image sensor, four interconnected processing units for color converting the data from the image sensor interface into a color space for the color display and, a color display interface for outputting color converted data to the color display. The four processing units, the image sensor interface and the color display interface are integrated onto a single chip.

Abstract: A quad-core processor for use in a hand-held device with a CMOS image sensor. The quad-core processor has an image sensor interface for receiving data from the CMOS image sensor and four processing units interconnected with each other for parallel processing of data from the image sensor interface. The four processing units and the image sensor interface are integrated onto a single chip.

Abstract: A method of operating an inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink chambers, each ink chamber including a heater element for generating a bubble and causing ejection of ink droplets from a nozzle defined in the ink chamber. The method includes the steps of: operating the printhead in a normal printing mode whereby relatively shorter drive pulses are delivered to the heater elements to eject ink droplets used in normal printing; and operating the printhead in a maintenance mode whereby relatively longer drive pulses are delivered to the heater elements. The relatively longer drive pulses generate high impulse bubbles for recovering nozzles affected by decap.

Abstract: A method for processing an image previously captured by a camera and stored in a memory of the camera, includes the steps of sensing the position of an eye in the captured image; generating eye position information; and processing said captured image using the eye position information. The step of processing involves detecting a face within the capture image, and applying a morph to the detected face to modify the captured image. The step of processing further involves a step of applying a graphical object at a location within the image and relative to the detected face.

Abstract: A processor for a portable handheld device having an area image sensor includes a shared wafer substrate; an image sensor interface provided on the shared wafer substrate, the image sensor interface for receiving image data capture by an image sensor; an image processor provided on the shared wafer substrate, the image processor for processing the image data received by the image sensor interface; a central processor provided on the shared wafer substrate, the central processor for loading the image processor with instructions; a first internal bus provided on the shared wafer substrate, the first internal bus effecting communication between the image sensor interface and the image processor; and a second internal bus provided on the shared wafer substrate, the second internal bus effecting communication between the central processor and the image processor.