Abstract: The remote video phone system comprises a base video unit, at least one remote video unit and a circuit configured to allow the base unit and one or more remote video units to communicate with one another or a standard external telephone line. The base unit comprises a video image device for capturing a sequence of video images, a microphone, a speaker, a user interface control pad, a circuit configured to control a network structure between the base unit remote and the remote video units, a means for providing video and audio communication between the base unit and the remote video units, and a circuit configured to allow the base unit to connect between a existing telephone and a standard PBX telephone line. The base unit can also be configured to operate as a stand-alone telephone.

Abstract: A camera unit is mountable to a helmet. The camera unit includes a single-chip image sensor, such as a color complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and includes an attaching unit that is structured to allow the camera unit to be attached to an existing structure of the helmet, such as to a face mask of a helmet. The camera unit further includes a transmit unit to allow transmission of a signal representative of captured images and a receive unit to receive control signals to control parameters associated with the camera unit. The control signals can be sent from a remote unit, thereby allowing the remote unit to control parameters of the camera unit, such as exposure, gain, white balance, color saturation, brightness, or hue. The camera unit can be of a small size and weight, and can be completely integrated on a single-chip, thereby minimizing intrusiveness to the helmet wearer.

Abstract: A camera unit is mountable to a cap. The camera unit includes a single-chip image sensor, such as a color complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and includes a mounting mechanism that is structured to allow the camera unit to be attached to an existing structure of the cap, such as to a brim of a baseball cap. The camera unit further includes a transmit unit to allow transmission of a signal representative of captured images and a receive unit to receive control signals to control parameters associated with the camera unit. The control signals can be sent from a remote unit, thereby allowing the remote unit to control parameters of the camera unit, such as exposure, gain, white balance, color saturation, brightness, or hue. The camera unit can be of a small size and weight, and can be completely integrated on a single-chip, thereby minimizing intrusiveness to the cap wearer.

Abstract: A watermark can be permanently and simultaneously added to image data, such as to a video data stream, produced by an image sensor. To produce the watermark in the image data, color filters of a filter array overlying pixels of a sensor array can be arranged in a watermark pattern different from the normal pattern of other color filters of the filter array. The color filters in the watermark pattern can have different colors than other color filters of the filter array. Alternatively or in addition to the watermark pattern of the color filters, a pattern can be formed in a microlens array overlying the filter array. The pattern in the microlens array can have regions devoid of microlenses, microlenses having different shapes, or microlenses having different colors.

Abstract: A personal appliance integrated with a biometric security system which includes a CMOS image sensor, a signal processor, and memory, and wherein the biometric security system restricts access to the appliance to authorized individuals, and may be programmed to disable or destroy designated data or other information of a confidential or proprietary nature within the appliance when certain conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A biometric device formed on an integrated circuit is disclosed. The biometric device includes a CMOS image sensor, a microprocessor, and non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A chip scale packaging for optical image sensor integrated circuits is disclosed. Micro lenses are placed on top of a wafer having the image sensors formed thereon. An adhesive matrix is placed atop of the wafer. The adhesive matrix has openings that align with the micro lensed sensor array on top of the wafer. A cover glass is then placed over the adhesive and the adhesive is activated to secure the cover glass to the wafer. Because the adhesive has openings above the micro lensed portion no distortion or reduction of the lens effect is caused by the adhesive.