Abstract: A signal decode circuit is coupled to a buffer for each signal channel. A memory includes a shared area configured to store waveform data sets, each waveform data set including a sequence of coded waveform values specifying waveform step states. The shared area further stores delay data sets, each delay data set including a digital delay value for each signal channel defining a delay profile. A signal pointer addresses the shared area to read one waveform data set from the memory with the sequence of coded waveform values being selectively loaded into one or more of the buffers. A delay pointer addresses the shared area to read one delay data set from the memory with the digital delay values used to control delayed actuation of the signal decode circuits to decode the sequence of coded waveform values from the buffers and generate waveform signals in accordance with the delay profile.

Abstract: A multi-level pulser circuit comprises a set of first input pins for receiving respective positive voltage signals at different voltage levels, a set of second input pins for receiving respective negative voltage signals at different voltage levels, and a reference input pin configured to receive a reference voltage signal intermediate the positive voltage signals and the negative voltage signals. The circuit comprises an output pin configured to supply a pulsed output signal. The circuit further comprises control circuitry configured to selectively couple the output pin to one of the first input pins, the second input pins and the reference input pin to generate the pulsed output signal at the output pin.

Abstract: A multi-level pulser circuit comprises a set of first input pins for receiving respective positive voltage signals at different voltage levels, a set of second input pins for receiving respective negative voltage signals at different voltage levels, and a reference input pin configured to receive a reference voltage signal intermediate the positive voltage signals and the negative voltage signals. The circuit comprises an output pin configured to supply a pulsed output signal. The circuit further comprises control circuitry configured to selectively couple the output pin to one of the first input pins, the second input pins and the reference input pin to generate the pulsed output signal at the output pin.

Abstract: A multi-level pulser circuit comprises a set of first input pins for receiving respective positive voltage signals at different voltage levels, a set of second input pins for receiving respective negative voltage signals at different voltage levels, and a reference input pin configured to receive a reference voltage signal intermediate the positive voltage signals and the negative voltage signals. The circuit comprises an output pin configured to supply a pulsed output signal. The circuit further comprises control circuitry configured to selectively couple the output pin to one of the first input pins, the second input pins and the reference input pin to generate the pulsed output signal at the output pin.

Abstract: A system and method of processing an image may include capturing an image of a scene. Image data having M-bits per pixel of the image may be generated. Multiple sets of simulated image data of the scene may be generated by applying different simulated exposure times to the generated image data. A processed image may be derived from the sets of simulated image data. The image data having M-bits per pixel may be an HDR image, and the processed image may be an LDR image.

Abstract: A system and method of processing an image may include capturing an image of a scene. Image data having M-bits per pixel of the image may be generated. Multiple sets of simulated image data of the scene may be generated by applying different simulated exposure times to the generated image data. A processed image may be derived from the sets of simulated image data. The image data having M-bits per pixel may be an HDR image, and the processed image may be an LDR image.

Abstract: A system and method of processing an image may include capturing an image of a scene. Image data having M-bits per pixel of the image may be generated. Multiple sets of simulated image data of the scene may be generated by applying different simulated exposure times to the generated image data. A processed image may be derived from the sets of simulated image data. The image data having M-bits per pixel may be an HDR image, and the processed image may be an LDR image.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a programmable logic configured to: convolve a stencil in a non-rotated orientation about a 2D array of pixels of a captured image received as image data from a camera to generate non-rotated stencil data; generate rotated stencil data based on a rotation of the stencil into a rotated orientation; generate, based on the non-rotated and rotated stencil data, a per-pixel density map indicative of a location of a corner of a 2D indicia within the captured image; employ noise filtering and subsampling to generate, based on the per-pixel density map, a per-tile density map indicative of the location of the corner of the 2D indicia within a 2D array of tiles that corresponds to the 2D array of pixels of the captured image; and generate, based on the per-tile density map, 2D indicia metadata indicative of the location of the 2D indicia within the captured image.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for searching for regions of interest may include performing a first linear image slice of an object including a machine-readable code associated therewith. Interesting blocks within the first linear image slice may be identified. A determination as to whether at least one isolated interesting block or multiple interesting blocks that are adjacent to one another exist within the first linear image slice may be made, and, if so, at least one blob inclusive of the at least one isolated interesting block or multiple interesting blocks being adjacent to one another may be identified, otherwise, the first linear image slice may be discarded. Respective geometrically shaped area(s) that include respective blob(s) may be formed, where the geometrically shaped area(s) define at least one region of interest is which the machine-readable code is located.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for searching for regions of interest may include performing a first linear image slice of an object including a machine-readable code associated therewith. Interesting blocks within the first linear image slice may be identified. A determination as to whether at least one isolated interesting block or multiple interesting blocks that are adjacent to one another exist within the first linear image slice may be made, and, if so, at least one blob inclusive of the at least one isolated interesting block or multiple interesting blocks being adjacent to one another may be identified, otherwise, the first linear image slice may be discarded. Respective geometrically shaped area(s) that include respective blob(s) may be formed, where the geometrically shaped area(s) define at least one region of interest is which the machine-readable code is located.

Abstract: A monitoring device for an electric motor has in input a signal representing zero crossings of the back-electromotive force of the motor and comprises a monitor that detects the signal in first periods of time arranged around instants of time in which the zero crossings are expected. The device comprises a setting circuit that sets second periods of time that are less than the first periods of time and each second period of time is centered on the instant of time in which the zero crossing is expected. The monitor comprises a detector that tests whether each actual zero crossing occurs inside the second period of time and a controller that modifies by a quantity the subsequent period of electric revolution time between two consecutive expected instants of zero crossing if said actual zero crossing occurs outside the second period of time.

Abstract: A control device controls an electric motor that includes a winding and generates a back electromotive force. The device comprises a first circuit suitable for setting time periods each centered on the time instant of an expected zero crossing of the winding current and a second circuit suitable for generating a signal representing the polarity in the winding in the time periods. The first and second circuits are suitable for providing samples of the polarity signal. The control device comprises a counting circuit suitable for counting the samples of the polarity signal and a further circuit receiving the count and being suitable for deducing the distance between the time instant of the expected zero crossing and the actual zero crossing instant; the further means is suitable for determining the phase shift between the driving voltage of the electric motor and the induced back electromotive force based on the distance.

Abstract: A monitoring device for an electric motor has in input a signal representing zero crossings of the back-electromotive force of the motor and comprises a monitor that detects the signal in first periods of time arranged around instants of time in which the zero crossings are expected. The device comprises a setting circuit that sets second periods of time that are less than the first periods of time and each second period of time is centered on the instant of time in which the zero crossing is expected. The monitor comprises a detector that tests whether each actual zero crossing occurs inside the second period of time and a controller that modifies by a quantity the subsequent period of electric revolution time between two consecutive expected instants of zero crossing if said actual zero crossing occurs outside the second period of time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a control device for an electric motor. The electric motor comprises at least an inductive winding, it is voltage driven and generates a back electromotive force. The device comprises first means suitable for setting periods of time each centred on the instant of time in which the zero crossing of the current in the winding is expected and second means suitable for generating a signal representative of the polarity in said winding in said periods of time is expected.

Abstract: A method for detecting the angular position of a rotor in a brushless electric motor, of the type in which the emission of a polarity signal of the back electromotive force by a detection circuitry associated with the motor, includes the using a bi-directional counter for counting the residence time difference of the logic states ‘0’ and ‘1’ at the output of the detection circuitry. The method is aimed at improving the detection of the instantaneous position of the rotor in a brushless motor through the detection of the zero-crossing signal.

Abstract: An electric motor controller controls the currents flowing through the phase windings of an electric motor. The electric motor controller includes driving stages for driving respective phase windings of the motor and a memory for storing samples of reference signals. The driving stages force currents corresponding to the reference signals through a respective phase winding of the motor. The electric motor controller includes circuitry to determine subdivision degree intervals of an electric rotation and circuitry for comparing one of the currents flowing through the respective phase windings of the motor with at least one of the samples of the respective reference signal in at least one portion of each one of the degree intervals.

Abstract: An electric motor controller controls the currents flowing through the phase windings of an electric motor. The electric motor controller includes driving stages for driving respective phase windings of the motor and a memory for storing samples of reference signals. The driving stages force currents corresponding to the reference signals through a respective phase winding of the motor. The electric motor controller includes circuitry to determine subdivision degree intervals of an electric gyro and circuitry for comparing one of the currents flowing through the respective phase windings of the motor with at least one of the samples of the respective reference signal in at least one portion of each one of the degree intervals.

Abstract: A driving circuit of a DC motor includes a control circuit for providing a control signal, and a motor drive circuit commanded by the control circuit for providing respective command signals for the switches of an output power stage connected to the DC motor. The output power stage is connected to a power supply line and drives the windings of the DC motor. The driving circuit prevents generation of voltage surges having a significant magnitude on the power supply line because the driving circuit has logic circuits for preventing any substantial inversion in the direction of current flow in the supply lines when the DC motor operates as a current generator.

Abstract: A method for detecting the angular position of a rotor in a brushless electric motor, of the type in which the emission of a polarity signal of the back electromotive force by a detection circuitry associated with the motor, includes the using a bi-directional counter for counting the residence time difference of the logic states ‘0’ and ‘1’ at the output of the detection circuitry. The method is aimed at improving the detection of the instantaneous position of the rotor in a brushless motor through the detection of the zero-crossing signal.

Abstract: A start-up procedure for a multiphase brushless motor to be accelerated until reaching a certain speed includes determining the starting position of the rotor and performing an excitation phase including forcing a drive current in the phase windings of the motor for an established period of time. This is done according to a switching sequence for inducing a rotation in the desired direction. Furthermore, the method may include sensing the position reached by the rotor at the end of each excitation phase. The start-up procedure is eventually interrupted when the established speed has been reached or exceeded. Additionally, the duration of a next phase of excitation may be increased or reduced, and the switching sequence may be modified, based upon the number of consecutive times in which the current position is found to be the same or different from the previously detected position, respectively.