Abstract: A data flow processor includes a number of hardware units each having more than one mode. A plurality of hardware units may be connected together to implement a flow made up of a series of processes. The flows, initiated by a central processing unit, may proceed independently and substantially at their own pace. Thus, the flows may operate in parallel, independently with respect to one another. Each of the hardware units may be configured differently to operate with each of the different flows.

Abstract: An electronic system including signal processing circuitry that can operate in video and still image modes. Incoming image data is processed and compressed according to the operating mode. Processing includes scaling logic configured to use scaling methodologies appropriate to each mode. Compressing includes using compression methodologies appropriate to each mode.

Abstract: An imaging sensor includes a defect marker allowing an imaging device in which the imaging sensor is installed to determine which pixels in the CMOS sensor are defective. During manufacturing, the pixels in the imaging sensor are tested. Defect markers are used for defective pixels, preferably using a non-volatile marking technique. After the imaging sensor is installed in the imaging device, the imaging device reads the defect markers from the imaging sensor to determine the defective pixels. The defect markers are read by exposing the pixels in the imaging sensor to photons. Eventually, all pixels in the imaging sensor should show some exposure. Pixels that still read as unexposed are then defective pixels. The imaging device can then compensate for defective pixels: e.g., by interpolating the defective pixels from their neighbors.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that is configurable to operate in at least two modes. One mode is particularly suitable for still image capture, whereas the second mode is suitable for video image capture and other rapid frame rate applications. The image data in the second mode is smaller (lower resolution) than the image data obtained in the first mode. The reduction is accomplished by either digital scaling, cropping, or by a combination of optical scaling and selective readout of sensor signals. The simple digital scaling provides a fixed angular field of view for both modes of operation, while cropping alone gives a smaller field of view. Using the combination of optical scaling and selective sensor signal readout, however, provides a wider field of view for the second mode of operation while at the same time providing lower resolution images, thus improving frame rate in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A mouse may include an internal fingerprint identification unit. The fingerprint identification unit may be arranged to capture the user's fingerprint when the user's finger is positioned over a mouse button which is substantially radiation transmissive. Radiation directed at the user's finger through the mouse button may be captured for image analysis and ultimately for fingerprint identification. Thus, the mouse may be used to identify users who wish to access a computer system.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that is configurable to operate in at least two modes. One mode is particularly suitable for still image capture, whereas the second mode is suitable for video image capture and other rapid frame rate applications. The image data in the second mode is smaller (lower resolution) than the image data obtained in the first mode. The reduction is accomplished by either digital scaling, cropping, or by a combination of optical scaling and selective readout of sensor signals. The simple digital scaling provides a fixed angular field of view for both modes of operation, while cropping alone gives a smaller field of view. Using the combination of optical scaling and selective sensor signal readout, however, provides a wider field of view for the second mode of operation while at the same time providing lower resolution images, thus improving frame rate in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A camera system for generating panoramic images is described. The camera uses sensors to determine the orientation of the camera as each image is recorded. The orientation information is recorded in memory. A processor reconstructs a single panoramic image from the recorded images using the recorded orientation information.

Abstract: A cost effective digital image capture apparatus such as a digital camera that operates in both still mode and video mode, using a common programmable image processing chain and fixed optics. The full resolution of the image sensor (yielding raw image data) may be used in still mode, with adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) achieved either from the scene ambient lighting or from supplemental light supplied by a strobe. In video mode, the apparatus may be configured to capture video image data by programming the parameters for image processing methodologies such as scaling, decorrelation, and encoding into a look-up table (LUT) which in turn configures logic circuitry to spatially scale and compress if necessary the raw image data in order to meet storage and transmission bandwidth constraints for video images. In video mode, adequate SNR may be achieved despite the lower light conditions, encountered, for example, during videoconferencing, by averaging pixels together during scaling.

Abstract: A system for generating a three-dimensional image is described. The system includes a camera which records a first image of a first location and a second image of a second location. A motion detector detects the motion of the camera to compute a position of the camera corresponding to the first location and a second position corresponding to the second location. A processor uses the first and second image and the first and second location to generate a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A scaling circuit residing on a single silicon substrate includes a buffer for storing a plurality of partially scaled data. A multiplier is provided for multiplying a weight signal with each of a plurality of input data to produce a plurality of weighted data. An adder is coupled to (1) the multiplier and (2) the buffer for adding each of the weighted data to one of the partially scaled data to produce a plurality of scaled data. When a first one of the scaled data is produced by the adder, the first one of the scaled data can remain in the buffer until displaced by a new data to be scaled such that the scaling circuit is directly coupled to an external bus without requiring any external buffering memory coupled in between. A method for scaling a block of data and transferring the scaled data to the bus is also described.