Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image includes a buffer memory, which is configured to receive and store an input data stream including multiple image lines and one or more embedded data lines, which are interleaved with the image lines and include metadata that are not a part of the image. An image processor receives the input pixel values in succession from the buffer memory and processes the input pixel values so as to generate an output data stream including output pixel values, which are different from the input pixel values. A processing controller detects the one or more embedded data lines and controls the image processor, responsively to detecting the one or more embedded data lines, so that the embedded data lines pass through the image processor without modification of the metadata and are interleaved with the image lines of the output pixel values in the output data stream.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a mosaic image sensor (24), which is configured to generate a stream of input pixel values belonging to a plurality of input sub-images, each sub-image responsive to light of a different, respective color that is incident on the mosaic image sensor. An image restoration circuit (26) is coupled to receive and digitally filter the input pixel values in each of the input sub-images so as to generate a corresponding plurality of enhanced output sub-images. An image signal processor (ISP) (28) is coupled to receive and combine the plurality of the output sub-images in order to generate a color video output image.

Abstract: An image enhancement circuit (26, 60, 190, 260) includes an input interface (64, 262), which is operative to accept a stream of input pixel values belonging to pixels (32) of an input image. The input image includes a plurality of different input sub-images including respective subsets of the pixels, such that the input pixel values of the pixels in the different input sub-images are interleaved in the stream. A plurality of filter cells (92, 144, 206, 222, 238, 364) are connected in a two-dimensional array configuration and are arranged to separately filter the input pixel values of each of the input sub-images with respective two-dimensional deconvolution kernels so as produce respective output sub-images that include output pixel values. A multiplexer (88, 332) is coupled to multiplex together the output pixel values of the output sub-images so as to produce a filtered output image.

Abstract: A method for calibration of an imaging device that includes a sensor and optics for forming an image on the sensor. The method includes making a first image quality measurement, based on an output of the sensor, while imaging a first target at a first distance from the device and varying an offset between the optics and the sensor. A second image quality measurement is made while imaging a second target at a second distance from the device, which is different from the first distance, and varying the offset between the optics and the sensor. A working point of the optics is set relative to the sensor responsively to the first and second image quality measurements.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a mosaic image sensor, which is configured to generate a stream of input pixel values belonging to a plurality of input sub-images, each sub-image responsive to light of a different, respective color that is incident on the mosaic image sensor. An image restoration engine (IRE) is coupled to receive and digitally filter the input pixel values in each of the input sub-images so as to generate a corresponding plurality of enhanced output sub-images, and to extract auxiliary information from the input sub-images prior to digitally filtering the input pixel values. An image signal processor (ISP) is coupled to receive the plurality of the output sub-images and the auxiliary information from the IRE, and to combine the output sub-images in order to generate a color video output image while enhancing the color video output image using the auxiliary information.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative motion of a surface with respect to a measurement device including placing a partially transmitting object, which is part of the measuring device, adjacent to the surface; illuminating the surface with incident illumination, which does not constitute an interference pattern, such that the illumination is reflected from portions of the surface, wherein at least part of at least one of the incident and reflected illumination passes through the object; detecting the illumination reflected from the surface, and generating a detected signal; and determining the relative motion of the surface parallel to the surface, from the detected signal.

Abstract: A method of detecting the passage of an edge of a moving sheet of material at a position comprising: monitoring a state of motion at a position; and determining a time of an edge of the sheet at a position as a time at which a change in a state of motion at the position is detected.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative motion of a surface with respect to a measurement device comprising:

Abstract: Variable-rate encoding apparatus operative to receive data and process the data for transmission through an asynchronous transfer mode network. A processor determines a degree of circuit congestion associated with at least one virtual circuit of the network. A variable-rate encoder encodes the received data so as to provide encoded data packets to the at least one virtual circuit at a rate that is selected responsive to the degree of circuit congestion. An ambiguity resolving field is preferably added to at least some of the data packets so as to resolve ambiguity regarding encoding rate.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative motion of a surface with respect to a measurement device, comprising: illuminating the surface with incident illumination, having a coherence length, such that the illumination is reflected from portions of the surface, wherein at least part of at least one of the incident and reflected illumination passes through a partially transmitting object that is part of the measuring device; detecting the illumination reflected from the surface, to generate a detected signal; and determining the relative motion of the surface parallel to the surface, from the detected signal, wherein the object and the surface are situated within a distance that is less than the coherence length of the detected illumination.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative motion of a surface with respect to a measurement device comprising: illuminating the surface with incident illumination; detecting illumination reflected from the surface to form at least one detected signal; and determining the amount of relative motion parallel to the surface from said at least one detected signal, characterized in that said determining includes correcting for the effects of relative motion perpendicular to the surface.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative motion of a surface with respect to a measurement device comprising: illuminating the surface from a source with incident illumination, such that illumination is reflected from portions of the surface toward a detector; spatially filtering the reflected illumination such that the phase of the detected optical illumination from a given scatterer on the surface is substantially constant or linearly related to the translation of the surface; generating a signal by the detector responsive to the illumination incident on the detector; and determining the relative motion of the surface from the signal.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative motion of a surface with respect to a measurement device comprising: illuminating the surface with incident illumination such that illumination is reflected from portions of the surface; placing a partially reflecting object, which is part of the measuring device, adjacent to the surface, wherein part of the incident illumination is reflected or diffracted by the object, as a reference illumination; coherently detecting the illumination reflected from the surface, utilizing the illumination reflected from or diffracted by the object as a local oscillator, to form a signal; determining the relative motion of the surface from the signal; varying the phase of the illumination reflected from or diffracted by the object with respect to that reflected from the surface; and determining the direction of relative motion parallel to the surface based on a characteristic of the signal caused by said varied relative phase.