Abstract: Imaging apparatus (2000, 2100, 2200) includes a photosensitive medium (2004, 2204) and an array of pixel circuits (302), which are arranged in a regular grid on a semiconductor substrate (2002) and define respective pixels (2006, 2106) of the apparatus. Pixel electrodes (2012, 2112, 2212) are connected respectively to the pixel circuits in the array and coupled to read out photocharge from respective areas of the photosensitive medium to the pixel circuits. The pixel electrodes in a peripheral region of the array are spatially offset, relative to the regular grid, in respective directions away from a center of the array.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (1300, 1400, 1500) includes a semiconductor substrate (1302), which includes at least first and second sensing areas (1306, 1308, 1502, 1514) with a predefined separation between the sensing areas. First and second arrays of pixel circuits (1312) are formed respectively on the first and second sensing areas and define respective first and second matrices of pixels. First and second photosensitive films (1314, 1316, 1402) are disposed respectively over the first and second arrays of pixel circuits, and are configured to output photocharge to the pixel circuits in response to radiation incident on the apparatus in different, respective first and second spectral bands.

Abstract: Examples of partitioning a group of related database tables are provided herein. A database table in a group of related database tables can be designated as a lead database table. A partitioning field can also be determined by which database tables in the group are partitioned. A data load, with respect to the partitioning field, of the lead database table can be calculated. The data load can include a data distribution across different values of the partitioning field. A group partitioning scheme can be determined based on the data load of the lead database table. The database tables of the group can then be partitioned according to the group partitioning scheme.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and populating temporary database tables with intermediate data that can be preserved once a database application session ends and used outside of the instant database operation without storing this data in persistent memory are provided. A local temporary database table may be used only in the local instance of a database application, and a global temporary table makes intermediate data available across multiple applications and multiple application instances.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (2000, 2100, 2200) includes a photosensitive medium (2004, 2204) and an array of pixel circuits (302), which are arranged in a regular grid on a semiconductor substrate (2002) and define respective pixels (2006, 2106) of the apparatus. Pixel electrodes (2012, 2112, 2212) are connected respectively to the pixel circuits in the array and coupled to read out photocharge from respective areas of the photosensitive medium to the pixel circuits. The pixel electrodes in a peripheral region of the array are spatially offset, relative to the regular grid, in respective directions away from a center of the array.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (1300, 1400, 1500) includes a semiconductor substrate (1302), which includes at least first and second sensing areas (1306, 1308, 1502, 1514) with a predefined separation between the sensing areas. First and second arrays of pixel circuits (1312) are formed respectively on the first and second sensing areas and define respective first and second matrices of pixels. First and second photosensitive films (1314, 1316, 1402) are disposed respectively over the first and second arrays of pixel circuits, and are configured to output photocharge to the pixel circuits in response to radiation incident on the apparatus in different, respective first and second spectral bands.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (100, 200) includes a photosensitive medium (304) configured to convert incident photons into charge carriers and a common electrode (306), which overlies the photosensitive medium and is configured to apply a bias potential to the photosensitive medium. An array (202) of pixel circuits (302) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (312). Each pixel circuit defines a respective pixel (212) and collects the charge carriers from the photosensitive medium while the common electrode applies the bias potential and to output a signal responsively to the collected charge carriers. Control circuitry (208) reads out the signal from the pixel circuits in each of a periodic sequence of readout frames (500) and drives the common electrode to apply the bias potential to the photosensitive medium during each of a plurality of distinct shutter periods (506, 702, 704, 902, 904) within at least one of the readout frames.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, techniques, and related apparatuses for phase-detect autofocus devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a phase-detect system includes a first color filter formed over a first pixel and a second pixel formed adjacent to the first pixel with a second color filter being formed over the second pixel. The second color filter has a color different from a color of the first color filter. A micro-lens spans the first pixel and the second pixel, configured to capture a phase difference in spatial frequency information present in an imaged scene. The first pixel and the second pixel are placed adjacent to each other in at least one of a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and/or a diagonal direction, with an arrangement of the two pixels being replicated at either regular and/or irregular intervals across the sensor. Other methods and apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and populating temporary database tables with intermediate data that can be preserved once a database application session ends and used outside of the instant database operation without storing this data in persistent memory are provided. A local temporary database table may be used only in the local instance of a database application, and a global temporary table makes intermediate data available across multiple applications and multiple application instances.

Abstract: Examples of partitioning a group of related database tables are provided herein. A database table in a group of related database tables can be designated as a lead database table. A partitioning field can also be determined by which database tables in the group are partitioned. A data load, with respect to the partitioning field, of the lead database table can be calculated. The data load can include a data distribution across different values of the partitioning field. A group partitioning scheme can be determined based on the data load of the lead database table. The database tables of the group can then be partitioned according to the group partitioning scheme.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, techniques, and related apparatuses for phase-detect autofocus devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a phase-detect system includes a first color filter formed over a first pixel and a second pixel formed adjacent to the first pixel with a second color filter being formed over the second pixel. The second color filter has a color different from a color of the first color filter. A micro-lens spans the first pixel and the second pixel, configured to capture a phase difference in spatial frequency information present in an imaged scene. The first pixel and the second pixel are placed adjacent to each other in at least one of a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and/or a diagonal direction, with an arrangement of the two pixels being replicated at either regular and/or irregular intervals across the sensor. Other methods and apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor. Neighborhood statistics for a given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. Correction of the given pixel is a function of whether the given pixel is in a flat region or a non-flat region. When the given pixel is defective and in a non-flat region, a minimum edge across the given pixel is identified and the value of the given pixel is replaced with an average of values of neighbor pixels that belong to the minimum edge.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor. Neighborhood statistics for a given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. Correction of the given pixel is a function of whether the given pixel is in a flat region or a non-flat region. When the given pixel is defective and in a non-flat region, a minimum edge across the given pixel is identified and the value of the given pixel is replaced with an average of values of neighbor pixels that belong to the minimum edge.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor with spatially arranged exposures. The pixel array includes a first subset of pixels having a first exposure time and a second subset of pixels having a second exposure time. An exposure ratio (ratio of first exposure time to second exposure time) is received. A value of at least a particular neighbor pixel of a given pixel from the image data is adjusted based upon the exposure ratio. Neighborhood statistics for the given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data as adjusted. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor. Neighborhood statistics for a given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. Correction of the given pixel is a function of whether the given pixel is in a flat region or a non-flat region. When the given pixel is defective and in a non-flat region, a minimum edge across the given pixel is identified and the value of the given pixel is replaced with an average of values of neighbor pixels that belong to the minimum edge.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor with spatially arranged exposures. The pixel array includes a first subset of pixels having a first exposure time and a second subset of pixels having a second exposure time. An exposure ratio (ratio of first exposure time to second exposure time) is received. A value of at least a particular neighbor pixel of a given pixel from the image data is adjusted based upon the exposure ratio. Neighborhood statistics for the given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data as adjusted. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor. Neighborhood statistics for a given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. Correction of the given pixel is a function of whether the given pixel is in a flat region or a non-flat region. When the given pixel is defective and in a non-flat region, a minimum edge across the given pixel is identified and the value of the given pixel is replaced with an average of values of neighbor pixels that belong to the minimum edge.

Abstract: An image sensor, system and method that alternates sub-sets of pixels with long exposure times and pixels with short exposure times on the same sensor to provide a sensor having improved Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). The sub-sets of pixels are reset at different time intervals after being read, which causes the respective integration times to vary. By combining information contained in the both the short and long integration pixels, the dynamic range of the sensor is improved.

Abstract: An image sensor, system and method that alternates sub-sets of pixels with long exposure times and pixels with short exposure times on the same sensor to provide a sensor having improved Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). The sub-sets of pixels are reset at different time intervals after being read, which causes the respective integration times to vary. By combining information contained in the both the short and long integration pixels, the dynamic range of the sensor is improved.