Abstract: An integrated temperature sensor provides an output current proportional to temperature rising from a zero value at a selectable reference temperature. The reference temperature can be selected by varying resistive values in the sensor's circuit. The temperature sensor can be manufactured at low cost and fully integrated on a chip using CMOS technology, and may be used for low-power applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low drop-out voltage regulator circuit with a distributed output network coupled to a pixel array for use in image sensor circuitry. The regulator circuit comprises voltage regulating circuitry and a distributed output network, wherein the distributed output network comprises drive transistors disposed along and connected between a supply track and an output track. The spatial distribution of the drive transistors improves heat dissipation within the regulator circuit, and a combination of low current flow and regulated output voltage reduces IR drop across the output track. The improved heat dissipation increases device lifespan and performance, whereas the reduction in IR drop across the output track provides better pixel response, readout uniformity, and image quality.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) provides a reset function. The IC receives a command that is defined by a first sequence of counts of signal transitions of a first signal during windows of a second signal and provides a reset function when it is determined that the command is received. A device including the IC and a system including the device are provided.

Abstract: A circuit includes a plurality of logic gates and a drive circuit. The plurality of logic gates are coupled between a first supply node and a second supply node. Each logic gate has at least one input and consumes a short circuit current during a logic state transition. The drive circuit is coupled to the inputs of the plurality of logic gates to deliver a copy of an input signal to each logic gate, wherein the input signal copies arrive at the inputs of the logic gates at substantially different times. The circuit may be incorporated in a touch screen panel and a display.

Abstract: An integrated temperature sensor provides an output current proportional to temperature rising from a zero value at a selectable reference temperature. The reference temperature can be selected by varying resistive values in the sensor's circuit. The temperature sensor can be manufactured at low cost and fully integrated on a chip using CMOS technology, and may be used for low-power applications.

Abstract: A circuit includes a plurality of logic gates and a drive circuit. The plurality of logic gates are coupled between a first supply node and a second supply node. Each logic gate has at least one input and consumes a short circuit current during a logic state transition. The drive circuit is coupled to the inputs of the plurality of logic gates to deliver a copy of an input signal to each logic gate, wherein the input signal copies arrive at the inputs of the logic gates at substantially different times. The circuit may be incorporated in a touch screen panel and a display.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) provides a reset function. The IC receives a command that is defined by a first sequence of counts of signal transitions of a first signal during windows of a second signal and provides a reset function when it is determined that the command is received. A device including the IC and a system including the device are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low drop-out voltage regulator circuit with a distributed output network coupled to a pixel array for use in image sensor circuitry. The regulator circuit comprises voltage regulating circuitry and a distributed output network, wherein the distributed output network comprises drive transistors disposed along and connected between a supply track and an output track. The spatial distribution of the drive transistors improves heat dissipation within the regulator circuit, and a combination of low current flow and regulated output voltage reduces IR drop across the output track. The improved heat dissipation increases device lifespan and performance, whereas the reduction in IR drop across the output track provides better pixel response, readout uniformity, and image quality.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting flicker DC voltage offset. The method includes receiving an output signal of an image sensor, the output signal comprising a reference signal and an image signal, and generating a combined signal by combining the image signal with a peak flicker DC voltage signal during a first time period. The method also includes performing an auto zero function in an auto zeroing comparator during the first time period between the reference signal and the combined signal and comparing the reference signal and the image signal with the auto zeroing comparator during a second time period subsequent to the first time period. The method further include storing a first charge corresponding to the image signal during a second time period and storing a second charge corresponding to a current peak flicker DC voltage signal.

Abstract: An audio signal switch has a plurality of inputs and an output. Each input is arranged to be selectively connected to the output via a respective transmission chain, each transmission chain includes: a first bipolar transistor, of a first type, connected to the input; a second bipolar transistor, of a second type, complementary to said first configuration, connected to the output; and an intermediate bipolar transistor, of the second type, connected between said first and second transistors. The first and second transistors are arranged in an emitter-follower circuit configuration, and the intermediate transistor is arranged to act as a diode to protect the first transistor from a large reverse voltage applied to its base-emitter junction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting flicker DC voltage offset. The method includes receiving an output signal of an image sensor, the output signal comprising a reference signal and an image signal, and generating a combined signal by combining the image signal with a peak flicker DC voltage signal during a first time period. The method also includes performing an auto zero function in an auto zeroing comparator during the first time period between the reference signal and the combined signal and comparing the reference signal and the image signal with the auto zeroing comparator during a second time period subsequent to the first time period. The method further include storing a first charge corresponding to the image signal during a second time period and storing a second charge corresponding to a current peak flicker DC voltage signal.

Abstract: A gain control circuit includes a light detector for generating an amount of current based on received light and a first switch for controlling the amount of current from the light detector delivered to a node. The gain control circuit also includes a charge storage element for providing an amount of capacitance to the node and a second switch for controlling the amount of capacitance provided to the node. The gain control circuit further includes an output interface for delivering an output signal based on the amount of current and the amount of capacitance at the node. The light detector may include multiple photodiodes, and the first switch may include a pair of NMOS switching transistors coupled to at least one photodiode. Also, the charge storage element may include multiple capacitors, and the second switch may include a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor coupled to each capacitor.

Abstract: An improved digital cut-off control loop for black level adjustment in a video processor for controlling RGB output signals. The improved circuit advantageously provides a higher resolution of the black level adjustment, and a short cut-off convergence time when the TV set is switched on. The improved circuit can also blank the RGB output when the cut-off control loop has not converged to the correct level.

Abstract: An audio signal switch has a plurality of inputs and an output. Each input is arranged to be selectively connected to the output via a respective transmission chain, each transmission chain includes: a first bipolar transistor, of a first type, connected to the input; a second bipolar transistor, of a second type, complementary to said first configuration, connected to the output; and an intermediate bipolar transistor, of the second type, connected between said first and second transistors. The first and second transistors are arranged in an emitter-follower circuit configuration, and the intermediate transistor is arranged to act as a diode to protect the first transistor from a large reverse voltage applied to its base-emitter junction.

Abstract: An x-ray protection circuit for a video processor, to disable a horizontal output pulse when a voltage level on the x-ray input exceeds a reference voltage. The x-ray protection circuit comprises a comparator and a bistable device, and incorporates a reset circuit. The reset circuit enables the initialisation of the protection circuit whilst the power is switched on.

Abstract: A device corrects the chrominance parameters transmitted by a chrominance subcarrier of a television signal, by shifting the phase of two demodulation signals an angle, which depends upon the phase of the chrominance subcarrier. The demodulation signals are obtained from a phase-locked loop including a resistive and capacitive network having two outputs that differ by 90° with respect to each other. The device may include circuitry for individually shifting the phase of each signal provided by the RC network by adding to each signal a fraction of the other signal provided by the RC network. The fractional coefficients may be opposite to each other and depend upon the phase of the chrominance subcarrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to the color matching function used in connection with the luminance or white stretch function in a television video processor. Automatic adjustment in the amplitude of the color difference signals is provided to compensate for the effect of the stretch of the luminance signal in a provision called color matching. The general principal of color matching being, any percentage change in the amplitude of the luminance signal due to the white stretch effect, must be balanced by the same percentage changes in the color difference signal so that the ratio of the color signals can be maintained after matrixing. This accomplished by compensating the color difference signals by a varying amount that decreases with increasing the input luminance signal level when the level of the input luminance signal is above said selected threshold.

Abstract: A device for switching a read head from a write mode to a read mode includes a voltage ramp generating circuit, generating and outputting a voltage ramp after a write operation; a variable current source for discharging an initial current of the read head, wherein a current output by the current source is controlled proportionally to the slope between the beginning of the voltage ramp and a first threshold of the ramp, the current source having an initial maximum value higher than the initial current of the head; and an accentuating circuit for accentuating the ramp slope between the beginning of the ramp and a time when the current output by the variable current source becomes equal to the initial current present in the head.

Abstract: A device for switching a read head from a write mode to a read mode includes a voltage ramp generating circuit, generating and outputting a voltage ramp after a write operation; a variable current source for discharging an initial current of the read head, wherein a current output by the current source is controlled proportionally to the slope between the beginning of the voltage ramp and a first threshold of the ramp, the current source having an initial maximum value higher than the initial current of the head; and an accentuating circuit for accentuating the ramp slope between the beginning of the ramp and a time when the current output by the variable current source becomes equal to the initial current present in the head.

Abstract: A device for switching from the write mode to the read mode includes a read head connected between a first and a second input terminal of the differential amplifier, the second input terminal being connected to a constant voltage through a capacitor and to the amplifier output through the resistor. The apparatus includes a circuit for generating a voltage ramp, after a write operation; a circuit for discharging an initial current in the read head proportionally to the voltage ramp between the beginning of the ramp and a first threshold voltage of the ramp; a switch for shorting the resistor to a low value, at least between the first threshold voltage and a second ramp threshold voltage; and a detector for detecting the second threshold voltage and for providing, in the vicinity of the threshold, a progressive control of the switch.