Abstract: The present invention relates to a two- or multiple-stage analog to digital converter. The converter preferably includes an incremental ADC in the first stage. The incremental ADC comprises an integrator and a comparator. After the predefined number of comparisons performed by the comparator, the output of the integrator appropriately scaled is provided to the second stage where it is further sampled. In particular, the scaling gain is inversely proportional to the integrator gain. The second ADC performs the conversion of the remaining least significant bits and then the output of both stages is combined. Moreover, a calibration and correction approaches are provided for the multi-stage ADC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating delivery of content over a telecommunication network is described. Specifically, the method comprises receiving content to be delivered from a first device associated with the network to at least one second device associated with the network, and triggering by a server a call (e.g.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for facilitating the set-up of a conference call over a telecommunication network, the call being between a first user and a one (or more) second user(s) of said network.

Abstract: Present invention refers to a method, system and devices for managing user provisioning of a service in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. The proposed solution optimizes the dimensioning of Home subscriber server (HSS) according to active users.

Abstract: Present invention refers to a method system and devices for managing user registration of a service in a IMS network. The proposed solution allows optimizing the dimensioning of networks focusing on active users.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cellular communication network serving mobile terminals or devices and, more precisely to a method regarding how to place calls, voice or video, between User Equipments [UE] using Circuit Switch [CS].

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a solid-state image pickup device and its driving method that has a minimum circuit area and a wide dynamic range. The invention includes: a sensor array SA; a memory M; and a signal determination circuit DC. The sensor array has plural pixels in an array integrated on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel sequentially outputs a first signal and a second signal. The memory M is connected to each column of pixels array and stores the first signal or the second signal. The signal determination circuit DC outputs signal (SS) such that it works as follows: when the first signal is input to memory M from the pixel, the signal determination circuit DC determines whether the first signal can be used. If so, the first signal is selected and the second signal is discarded and is not output to memory M. When the second signal is selected, the second signal is uploaded to memory M.

Abstract: This invention is an amplification circuit which limits increased power consumption and circuit surface area use and an imaging device including this amplification circuit. After initially discharging a capacitor, a signal charge corresponding to the difference between pixel signals is transferred repeatedly to the capacitor during an integration phase storing a signal charge proportional to the number of repetitions. The output of amplification is the signal charge accumulated in the capacitor. The gain is independent of the capacitor capacitance ratio. Thus the capacitor size can be smaller than conventional amplification circuits.

Abstract: This invention is an image pickup device that realizes a wide dynamic range while minimizing circuit area using a pixel array that can pick up a low-sensitivity image and a high-sensitivity image. This invention obtains information (S1/S2) needed for generating a correction coefficient using one more than the number of pixels readout circuits (RC1 to RCn+1). This significantly reduces the circuit area compared with the case of using twice as many readout circuits as pixels for generating the correction coefficient.

Abstract: In recent years, the performance of CMOS and CCD image sensors has dramatically improved, and to utilize the improved performance of these sensors, processing circuitry is provided here. This processing circuitry employs a adjustable gain that varies depending on the intensity of the signal from the image sensor so as to reduce noise, reduce area used, and reduce power consumption.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an image sensor circuit. The image sensor circuit is configured to obtain an image using a type of shutter operation in which an exposure pattern of a pixel array is set according to exposure information that changes over time based at least partially on charge accumulated in at least a portion of the pixel array. An image sensor circuit includes a pixel array and one or more circuits. The one or more circuits are configured to update exposure information based at least partially on one or more signals output from the pixel array, and to control an exposure pattern of the pixel array based on the exposure information. A pixel circuit includes a first transistor connected between a photodiode and a sense node, and a second transistor connected between an exposure control signal line and a gate of the first transistor.

Abstract: This invention is an image pickup device that realizes a wide dynamic range while minimizing circuit area using a pixel array that can pick up a low-sensitivity image and a high-sensitivity image. This invention obtains information (S1/S2) needed for generating a correction coefficient using one more than the number of pixels readout circuits (RC1 to RCn+1). This significantly reduces the circuit area compared with the case of using twice as many readout circuits as pixels for generating the correction coefficient.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a solid-state image pickup device and its driving method that has a minimum circuit area and a wide dynamic range. The invention includes: a sensor array SA; a memory M; and a signal determination circuit DC. The sensor array has plural pixels in an array integrated on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel sequentially outputs a first signal and a second signal. The memory M is connected to each column of pixels array and stores the first signal or the second signal. The signal determination circuit DC outputs signal (SS) such that it works as follows: when the first signal is input to memory M from the pixel, the signal determination circuit DC determines whether the first signal can be used. If so, the first signal is selected and the second signal is discarded and is not output to memory M. When the second signal is selected, the second signal is uploaded to memory M.

Abstract: This invention is an amplification circuit which limits increased power consumption and circuit surface area use and an imaging device including this amplification circuit. After initially discharging a capacitor, a signal charge corresponding to the difference between pixel signals is transferred repeatedly to the capacitor during an integration phase storing a signal charge proportional to the number of repetitions. The output of amplification is the signal charge accumulated in the capacitor. The gain is independent of the capacitor capacitance ratio. Thus the capacitor size can be smaller than conventional amplification circuits.

Abstract: In recent years, the performance of CMOS and CCD image sensors has dramatically improved, and to utilize the improved performance of these sensors, processing circuitry is provided here. This processing circuitry employs a adjustable gain that varies depending on the intensity of the signal from the image sensor so as to reduce noise, reduce area used, and reduce power consumption.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an image sensor circuit. The image sensor circuit is configured to obtain an image using a type of shutter operation in which an exposure pattern of a pixel array is set according to exposure information that changes over time based at least partially on charge accumulated in at least a portion of the pixel array. An image sensor circuit includes a pixel array and one or more circuits. The one or more circuits are configured to update exposure information based at least partially on one or more signals output from the pixel array, and to control an exposure pattern of the pixel array based on the exposure information. A pixel circuit includes a first transistor connected between a photodiode and a sense node, and a second transistor connected between an exposure control signal line and a gate of the first transistor.

Abstract: Leading edge of supporting surfaces of aircraft. A primary structure (EP) made without ribs is assembled with a specific frontal area (ZF) against impacts. The primary structure comprises two upper and lower covering panels (1, 2) and two diagonal and frontal spars (3, 4), which constitute the strong and rigid structural assembly of the leading edge (BA). The frontal area (ZF) is made up of one or two elemental parts which determine a kind of roof tile which closes the outer aerodynamic contour of the profile of the leading edge (BA) and provides a good behaviour against erosion, operational impacts on the ground and the impact of birds in flight. The invention is applicable to wings, stabilizers and control surfaces of aeroplanes.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing primary structures of composite material with curing in a female tool, comprising the steps of laminating superimposed composite material layers in a pre-impregnated state; placing the obtained laminate over a forming tool, loading the assembly of the laminate and forming tool in a vacuum bell and applying a pre-established forming operation, loading the formed laminate, still in a green state, in a female tool suitable for its curing, placing lateral caul plates in the tool and inserting elastomeric pipes in channels of the caul plates, fitting a central caul plate, sealing the assembly and applying a vacuum bag with perforations to remove the air from its interior. The assembly is cured in an autoclave.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing pre-cured parts of composite material with green-applied stiffeners, comprising the lamination of superimposed pre-impregnated composite material sheets to obtain a base part (1) and a second part (2) intended to be bonded with it; curing the base part (1); hot forming the laminate destined to form the second part (2); removing the second part (2) from the forming tool thereof and deposit it over the base part (1), intercalating a structural adhesive sheet between both of them; closing the assembly of both parts inside a vacuum bag and loading said bag in an autoclave, carrying out a curing cycle of the second part (2) under pressure and temperature, so that it is strongly adhered to the base part (1). The invention is applicable to the field of aeronautics.

Abstract: A process for making a dismountable and/or fixed traction-compression coupling to be applied to composite materials, in which a basic laminate (1) of composite material is folded at least once to obtain at least one skirt (2) forming an angle close to 90° with the rest of the laminate; by using a transition radius between the skirt and the rest of the laminate, a set of distribution plates (5, 6) is applied over the basic laminate to stabilize the skirt and produce a uniform load distribution, making holes in each set of distribution skirt-plates and introducing traction bolts (4) with an initial pretension in said holes, hence obtaining the connection between the components to be joined. The invention is applicable to the aerodynamic structures of aircraft.