Abstract: The invention relates to a touch screen protector for a hand held electronic device having a front face that includes a touch screen portion and a non-functional band. The touch screen protector of the invention comprises a plastic film having front and back sides, an outer perimeter that corresponds to that of the device, and a transparent window; a spacer provided along the outer perimeter of the plastic film surrounding the transparent window, having a thickness sufficient to space the plastic film near but not in contact with the touch screen portion; an exposed adhesive for removably mounting the protector upon the outer perimeter of the front face to form an enclosed air space between the transparent window of the plastic film, the spacer and the touch screen portion of the device; and a joining adhesive for adhering the spacer to the back side of the plastic film.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion applicable to an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor, in which an ADC comprises built-in redundancy such that the ADC can start its conversion cycle before the ADC input settles to a desired resolution and the ADC can yet accurately convert the ADC input to a digital value with the desired resolution. In a CMOS image sensor, such an ADC configuration enables the pixel readout time to overlap with the ADC conversion time, reducing the total time needed to convert the pixel signal value to a digital value with the desired resolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a touch screen protector for a hand held electronic device having a front face that includes a touch screen portion and a non-functional band. The touch screen protector of the invention comprises a film having front and back sides, an outer perimeter that corresponds to that of the device, and a transparent window; an exposed adhesive or adhesive/spacer provided along the outer perimeter of the film surrounding the transparent window, and multiple dots arranged in a prescribed pitch and present on the back side of the film at a density which is sufficiently high to reduce interference patterns when the transparent window of the protector is pressed against the touch screen portion for operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: An image sensor array that has a plurality of image sensing pixels and a plurality of programmable gain amplifiers, each of the programmable gain amplifiers connected to receive and amplify an output of said image sensing pixels. Each of said programmable gain senses when an output of the programmable gain amplifier is in an oversaturated condition. Responsive to sensing that the output of the programmable gain amplifier in the oversaturated condition, the amplifier automatically clamps a bias amount to the programmable gain amplifier, to thereby regulate an amount of current draw of the programmable gain amplifier. In this way, the power supply current to that pixel which is oversaturated is prevented from affecting power supplies to the other pixels, by regulating the power supply to the oversaturated pixel.

Abstract: Ping-pong readout architecture allows for faster frame rates in CMOS image sensors. However, various problems are created by this architecture due to cross-talk between components. Provided herein are novel ping-pong readout layouts which better isolate components to reduce crosstalk issues. Also provided herein are novel timing schemes for operating ping-pong readout circuits which prevent crosstalk signal spikes or readout corruption.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel charge mode readout circuits and associated methods of signal processing. The devices and methods of the invention allow for the improved processing of stored signals by a charge mode readout amplifier, wherein the readout level may be shifted to a desired range and wherein a fully differential output swing may be imparted. The invention advantageously employs a single pair of capacitors to serve the dual roles of modulating amplifier gain and level shifting the output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a touch screen protector for a hand held electronic device having a front face that includes a touch screen portion and a non-functional band. The touch screen protector of the invention comprises a film having front and back sides, an outer perimeter that corresponds to that of the device, and a transparent window; an exposed adhesive or adhesive/spacer provided along the outer perimeter of the film surrounding the transparent window, and multiple dots arranged in a prescribed pitch and present on the back side of the film at a density which is sufficiently high to reduce interference patterns when the transparent window of the protector is pressed against the touch screen portion for operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion applicable to an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor, in which pixels can be readout non-destructively, and wherein a non-destructive pixel read may be used to provide a coarse analog-to-digital conversion such that information can be stored, and the stored information is then applied in a fine analog-to-digital conversion during a subsequent actual pixel read.

Abstract: A glass touch screen protector for a portable electronic device having a front face including a touch screen portion and an outer perimeter. The touch screen protector can include a glass sheet having front and back sides, an outer perimeter that corresponds to that of the device, and a transparent window portion; and a spacer provided along the outer perimeter of the glass sheet surrounding the transparent window portion, having a thickness sufficient to space the glass sheet near but not in contact with the touch screen portion, and an exposed adhesive for removably mounting the protector upon the outer perimeter of the front face to form an enclosed air space between the transparent window portion of the plastic film, the spacer and the touch screen portion of the device. The glass sheet can be convex in shape with respect to the touch screen portion of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: An A/D converter system that has a ranging detector that receives and characterizes an input signal. The characterizing sets a coarse range selection based on a level of the input signal. A higher level input signal has a higher level ranging. An A/D converter includes a compression system that compresses based on the ranging output signal by converting different numbers of bits for different level ranging output signal. A higher level input signal is more higher compressed and produces a digital output indicative of the input signal, which is compressed by different amounts based on the ranging output signal. By scaling in this way, the resolution of the A/D converter is scaled on the basis of shot noise level of the image sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion applicable to an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor, in which an ADC comprises built-in redundancy such that the ADC can start its conversion cycle before the ADC input settles to a desired resolution and the ADC can yet accurately convert the ADC input to a digital value with the desired resolution. In a CMOS image sensor, such an ADC configuration enables the pixel readout time to overlap with the ADC conversion time, reducing the total time needed to convert the pixel signal value to a digital value with the desired resolution.

Abstract: A cooling plate includes a casing being internally divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; an air inlet deposited on at least one lateral wall of the casing enclosing the upper chamber; a plurality of through holes being formed on the partition board and such arranged that the through holes closer to the air inlet are smaller in diameter and the through holes farther from the air inlet are larger in diameter, wherein the upper chamber and the lower chamber are communicated to each other via the through holes; and a plurality of air outlets provided on a lower board below the lower chamber for communicating the lower chamber to an exterior of the casing, wherein the air outlets are identical in diameter and arranged into a matrix-like pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion applicable to an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor, in which pixels can be readout non-destructively, and wherein a non-destructive pixel read may be used to provide a coarse analog-to-digital conversion such that information can be stored, and the stored information is then applied in a fine analog-to-digital conversion during a subsequent actual pixel read.

Abstract: A successive approximation A/D converter which includes a sub ranging classifier that receives an input signal and classifies said input signal according to plural different highest resolution bits, to determine a range of the input signal, and creating a set of most significant bits based on said range, said subranging classifier also setting and determining an offset based on said range, and a successive approximation A/D converted that converting lowest resolution parts of the input signal as adjusted by the offset.

Abstract: A gas release device is formed of two plates combined together. Each of the plates includes an intake groove. Each of the intake grooves is linked with a first distribution groove. Each of the first distribution grooves is linked with two second distribution grooves. Each of the second distribution grooves is linked with two third distribution grooves. Each of the third distribution grooves is linked with two fourth distribution grooves. Each of the fourth distribution grooves is linked with two fifth distribution grooves. Each of the fifth distribution grooves has a venthole. After a gas of a vapor deposition source enters the intake groove, the gas passes through the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth distribution grooves in order and then substantially equal amount of the gas is finally released out of each of the ventholes.

Abstract: A gas release device for a coating process includes an upper plate, a first intermediate plate, a second intermediate plate, and a lower plate, four of which are superposed on each other from top to bottom. The upper plate is linked and communicates with the first intermediate plate through a first passage. The first intermediate plate is linked and communicates with the second intermediate plate through at least two second passages. The second intermediate plate is linked with the lower plate through at least four third passages. The lower plate includes at least four ventholes. In light of this, after a gas of a vapor deposition source enters the inlet, the gas of the same amount can be released out of each venthole to make the thickness of a thin film uniform for relatively higher quality of the coating process.

Abstract: A successive approximation A/D converter which includes a sub ranging classifier that receives an input signal and classifies said input signal according to plural different highest resolution bits, to determine a range of the input signal, and creating a set of most significant bits based on said range, said subranging classifier also setting and determining an offset based on said range, and a successive approximation A/D converted that converting lowest resolution parts of the input signal as adjusted by the offset.

Abstract: The invention relates to a touch screen protector for a hand held electronic device having a front face that includes a touch screen portion and a non-functional band. The touch screen protector of the invention comprises a plastic film having front and back sides, an outer perimeter that corresponds to that of the device, and a transparent window; a spacer provided along the outer perimeter of the plastic film surrounding the transparent window, having a thickness sufficient to space the plastic film near but not in contact with the touch screen portion; an exposed adhesive for removably mounting the protector upon the outer perimeter of the front face to form an enclosed air space between the transparent window of the plastic film, the spacer and the touch screen portion of the device; and a joining adhesive for adhering the spacer to the back side of the plastic film.