Abstract: A computer vision processing device is provided which comprises memory configured to store data and a processor. The processor is configured to store captured image data in a first buffer and acquire access to the captured image data in the first buffer when the captured image data is available for processing. The processor is also configured to execute a first group of operations in a processing pipeline, each of which processes the captured image data accessed from the first buffer and return the first buffer for storing next captured image data when a last operation of the first group of operations executes.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising a pixel array that includes pixels each generates a signal via photoelectric conversion arranged in rows and columns, is disclosed. The device also comprises a plurality of determination circuits that perform determination of an amplitude of signals read out from the pixel array via different vertical signal lines. The device further comprises a shared signal line shared by the plurality of determination circuits that transmits results of the determination from the plurality of determination circuits to a circuit inside the photoelectric conversion device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a makeup application system includes: a projector (22) configured to project digital content including a makeup application tutorial onto the user's facial surface; and a dynamic mapping unit (24); (30) operably coupled to the projector, wherein the dynamic mapping unit is configured to establish a dynamic correspondence between pixels of the projector (22) and features of the user's facial surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital viewing device, comprising at least one camera module, consisting of an objective (2) having a focal length fobj and an image sensor (3) having an image diagonal dSensor, and at least one electronic viewfinder, consisting of an eyepiece (9) having a focal length fOku, an image processor (5), a power supply (7) and an electronic display (10) having an image diagonal yDisplay, characterised in that to correct distortion of the image generated on the display the image processor contains at least one computer program with distortion correction algorithms and the computer program can be switched on by means of an activating element (6).

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a camera control method, a device, a storage medium and an electronic equipment includes: detecting a change trend of a focus distance of a first camera operating in the foreground, determining a second camera corresponding to the change trend of the focus distance, activating the second camera in the background, and switching the second camera to operate in the foreground when the real-time focus distance of the first camera is within a focus distance interval of the second camera.

Abstract: An image restoration method includes determining an anchor image based on individual images of a burst image set, executing a feature extraction network based on the burst image set while using anchor information of the anchor image, and generating a restored image based on a feature map corresponding to an output of the feature extraction network.

Abstract: A positioning method and device, the method including: extracting multiple light spots from a current image frame, wherein the current image frame is an image currently collected by an extended reality device; determining an interference light spot in the multiple light spots according to information about a historical interference light spot, and removing the interference light spot in the multiple light spots, recognizing whether there is a light spot of a luminous light source in remaining light spots after removing the interference light spot, wherein the luminous light source is a light source set on a human-computer interaction apparatus, and the human-computer interaction apparatus is used for a user to interact with the extended reality device; determining a current pose of the human-computer interaction apparatus according to the light spot of the luminous light source recognized in the remaining light spots.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an individual for login to a server computer includes receiving at the server computer data for a first authentication image from an electronic computing device. First attributes are identified of one or more similar geometrical shapes from the data for the first authentication image. A determination is made as to whether the first attributes of the one or more similar geometrical shapes from the data for the first authentication image correspond to second attributes from a second authentication image accessible on or by the server computer. When the first attributes correspond to the second attributes, the individual is authenticated on the server computer.

Abstract: A method and device with synthetic image generation is included. A method includes acquiring a first image captured by a first camera and second images captured by a second camera having a narrower field of view (FOV) when the second images are captured thereby than that of the first camera when the first image is captured thereby. The method also includes detecting respective blur statuses of each of the second images, selecting a region of the first image on the basis of the region corresponding to a second image, of the second images, selected based on a determination that the blur status of the second image satisfies a blur condition, and generating a synthetic image by synthesizing together the selected region of the first image and the second images not including the selected second image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extraction unit that extracts, from among a plurality of designated regions in which labels of classes are designated, complicated regions which are regions of at least a part of the designated regions and are regions having relatively complicated contours, in an annotation image given as learning data to a machine learning model for performing semantic segmentation in which a plurality of the classes in an image are discriminated on a per-pixel basis, and a setting unit that sets additional labels for the complicated regions separately from original labels originally designated for the annotation image.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image processing method. The image processing method includes the following steps: (a), a to-be-processed image is corrected as a first correction image according to a first mapping relationship along a correction direction; (b) the first correction image by an angle is rotated; and (c) the rotated first correction image is corrected as a second correction image according to a second mapping relationship along the same correction direction. In embodiment, given that the to-be-processed image is deformed along two different directions, the to-be-processed image is corrected along the same correction direction, such that correction complexity could be reduced.

Abstract: A device includes an offset subtraction unit; an image sensor which receives, for each of a plurality of bright frames, a respective image signal obtained during a respective exposure time of the image sensor, and transmits the same to the offset subtraction unit, and receives, for a dark frame, a respective image signal obtained during a respective exposure time of the image sensor, and transmits the same to the offset subtraction unit; and a control unit which ensures that the image sensor alternately transmits a number of bright frames and one dark frame to the offset subtraction unit. An amount of light by which the respective image signal for each of the bright frames is generated is larger than an amount of light by which the respective image signal for the dark frame is generated; and the offset subtraction unit obtains an offset and subtracts the offset from a signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image processing method and apparatus for a camera module in a night scene, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The method includes: obtaining a multi-frame target image; performing first noise reduction processing on each frame of target image in the multi-frame target image, to obtain intra-frame processing results of the multi-frame target image; performing second noise reduction processing on any two adjacent frames of target images in the multi-frame target image, to obtain inter-frame processing results; and generating an enhanced night scene effect image of the target image according to the intra-frame processing result and the inter-frame processing result.

Abstract: A method to, is provided for collecting an image from a sample. The method includes selecting a radiation level for a first probe to meet a desired radiation dosage, and providing, with the first probe, a radiation at a selected point within a region of the sample. The method includes identifying a second selected point within the region of the sample based on a down sampling scheme, and providing a second radiation amount at the second selected point within the region of the sample. The method also includes interpolating a first datum and a second datum based on an up sampling scheme to obtain a plurality of data, and forming an image of the region of the sample with the plurality of data. A system to perform the above method and including the first probe is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods for accurately and efficiently removing objects from digital images taken from a camera viewfinder stream. For example, the disclosed systems access digital images from a camera viewfinder stream in connection with an undesired moving object depicted in the digital images. The disclosed systems generate a temporal window of the digital images concatenated with binary masks indicating the undesired moving object in each digital image. The disclosed systems further utilizes a generator as part of a 3D to 2D generative adversarial neural network in connection with the temporal window to generate a target digital image with the region associated with the undesired moving object in-painted. In at least one embodiment, the disclosed systems provide the target digital image to a camera viewfinder display to show a user how a future digital photograph will look without the undesired moving object.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processor configured to execute a plurality of tasks including a first normal acquiring task configured to acquire first normal information of an object, a designated area acquiring task configured to acquire a designated portion in the object, the designated area being designated by a user, a second normal acquiring task configured to acquire second normal information of the object, the second normal information being normal information having a lower frequency than a frequency of the first normal information, a virtual light source determining task configured to determine a virtual light source condition based on the second normal information corresponding to the designated portion, and a rendering task configured to generate a rendering image using the first normal information and the virtual light source condition.

Abstract: Aspects of embodiments pertain to a method for reducing a subjective visual artefact when displaying binocular overlapping images to a user of a binocular display system, the method comprising generating, by an image display unit comprising a plurality of pixels elements, right and left-eye source images; projecting the right and left-eye source images via corresponding left and right viewing optics to its user such that the user perceives partially overlapping left and right-hand observation images; reducing, a perception of a subjective visual artefact in the perceived right and/or left-hand observation images by modifying one or more pixel and/or image parameters values relating to the left and/or right-hand source images.

Abstract: When swinging of a camera does not follow a motion of a subject in following-photographing, the position of the subject deviates among a plurality of images, and thus there is a problem that the subject that is moving is blurred. An image processing apparatus includes: a standard region designation unit configured to designate a partial region in an image as a standard region; a standard region motion blur setting unit configured to set a motion blur in the standard region designated by the standard region designation unit as a predetermined motion blur; and a motion blur adjustment unit configured to adjust a motion blur in the standard region so that the motion blur becomes the predetermined motion blur and adjust a motion blur on a screen of a region different from the standard region in accordance with the adjusting of the motion blur in the standard region.

Abstract: An imaging light emitting device, and an optical unit configured to guide imaging light emitted from the imaging light emitting device are included, and the imaging light emitting device emits the imaging light at different densities according to a distortion generated in an optical system constituting the optical unit and an image position.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a plurality of cameras, and at least one processor connected to the plurality of cameras. The at least one processor is configured to, based on a first user command to obtain a live view image, segment an image frame obtained via a camera among the plurality of cameras into a plurality of regions based on a brightness of pixels and an object included in the image frame; obtain a plurality of camera parameter setting value sets, each including a plurality of parameter values with respect to the plurality of regions; based on a second user command to capture the live view image, obtain a plurality of image frames using the plurality of camera parameter setting value sets and at least one camera among the plurality of cameras; and obtain an image frame by merging the plurality of obtained image frames.

Abstract: A system and method for a teleoperational medical system is provided is provided that can include one or more processors, conductors can extend through a shaft with an interface positioned at a proximal end of the shaft and a sensor(s) positioned at a distal end of the shaft, and the conductors can electrically couple the sensor(s) to the processor via the interface. Signals can be transmitted over the conductors between the sensor(s) and the processor(s). The signals can include power and control signals transmitted in one direction over the conductors and sensor data transmitted in an opposite direction over the same conductors.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to identify, correct, and/or replace anomalous pixels. In one example, a method includes receiving an image frame comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. The pixels comprise image data associated with a scene and fixed pattern noise introduced by an imaging device. The method also includes performing a first process on a first set of the pixels to determine associated correction terms configured to reduce the fixed pattern noise, and applying the correction terms to the first set of the pixels in response to the first process. The method also includes performing a second process on a second set of the pixels to determine whether to replace the second set of the pixels to reduce the fixed pattern noise, and replacing at least a subset of the second set of the pixels in response to the second process. Additional methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for providing adaptive assistive technology for assisting users with visual impairment can be used on a computing device. These techniques include displaying content to a user, capturing a series of images or video of the user using a camera, analyzing the series of images or video to determine whether the user is exhibiting behavior or characteristics indicative of visual impairment, and rendering a magnification user interface on the display configured to magnify at least a portion of the content of the display based on a determination that the user is exhibiting behavior or characteristics indicative of visual impairment. The magnification user interface may be controlled based on head and/or eye movements of the user of the computing device.

Abstract: Image analysis and processing may include a first sensor readout unit receiving first Bayer format image data corresponding to a first input image, a second sensor readout unit receiving second Bayer format image data corresponding to a second input image, a first Bayer-to-RGB unit obtaining first RGB format image data based on the first Bayer format image data, a second Bayer-to-RGB unit obtaining second RGB format image data based on the second Bayer format image data, a high dynamic range unit configured obtaining high dynamic range image data based on a combination of the first RGB format image data and the second RGB format image data, an RGB-to-YUV unit obtaining YUV format image data based on the high dynamic range image data, and a three-dimensional noise reduction unit obtaining processed image data based on the YUV format image data.

Abstract: A system and method for display distortion calibration are configured to capture distortion with image patterns and calibrate distortion with ray tracing for an optical pipeline with lenses. The system includes an image sensor and a processor to perform the method for display distortion calibration. The method includes generating an image pattern to encode display image pixels by encoding display distortion associated with a plurality of image patterns. The method also includes determining a distortion of the image pattern resulting from a lens on a head-mounted display (HMD) and decoding the distorted image patterns to obtain distortion of pixels on a display. A lookup table is created of angular distortion of all the pixels on the display. The method further includes providing a compensation factor for the distortion by creating distortion correction based on the lookup table of angular distortion.

Abstract: A code rate control method and apparatus, an image acquisition device, and a readable storage medium are provided. The method includes: acquiring the gain and exposure time of an image to be encoded from an image processing module of an image acquisition device; obtaining corresponding reference distortion degree according to the gain and exposure time of said image; calculating the difference between the distortion degree in a characteristic region of said image and the reference distortion degree; calculating a distortion tolerance degree of macro blocks constituting said image according to the difference between the distortion degree in the characteristic region of said image and the reference distortion degree; performing macro block predictions on the respective macro blocks in said image, to obtain an optimum macro block prediction mode; and encoding said image, which corresponds to the optimum macro block prediction mode.

Abstract: A redundant hardware and software architecture can be designed to enable vehicles to be operated in an autonomous mode while improving the reliability and/or safety of such vehicles. A system for redundant architecture can include a set of at least two redundant sensors coupled to a vehicle and configured to provide timestamped sensor data to each of a plurality of computing unit (CU) computers. The CU computers can process the sensor data simultaneously based on at least a time value indicative of an absolute time or a relative time and based on the timestamped sensor data. The CU computers provide to a vehicle control unit (VCU) computer at least two sets of outputs configured to instruct a plurality of devices in a vehicle and cause the vehicle to be driven.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a ramp generator includes a ramp circuit that receives a first ramp enable signal from a control circuit during a first ramp period, the first ramp period including a first reset period and a first sensing period, and the ramp circuit being configured to output a first ramp signal to a correlated double sampling circuit; an emphasis circuit that increases a voltage level of the first ramp signal during the first reset period, based on a first enable signal received from the control circuit; and a pre-emphasis circuit that further increases the voltage level of the first ramp signal during a first pre-emphasis period in the first reset period, based on a second enable signal received from the control circuit.

Abstract: A noise removing circuit includes an image combiner suitable for generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image by combining images having different exposure times; a detailed image generator suitable for generating a detailed image from the HDR image; an image strength evaluator suitable for evaluating strength of the detailed image; and a noise coring component suitable for performing a noise coring operation for removing noise from a region of the detailed image in which a signal to noise ratio (SNR) has decreased using a low threshold and a saturation threshold when the strength of the detailed image is less than a reference value.

Abstract: An imaging device, electronic equipment, and an imaging method capable of controlling a temperature rise are provided. The imaging device (CIS 2) according to the present disclosure includes an imaging unit (22), an information processing unit (DNN processing unit 23), a temperature detection unit (25), and a control unit (CIS control unit 21). The imaging unit (22) captures an image and generates image data. The information processing unit (DNN processing unit 23) performs processing with respect to the image data read from the imaging unit (22). The temperature detection unit (25) detects temperature. The control unit (CIS control unit 21) changes the processing performed by the information processing unit (DNN processing unit 23) according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit (25).

Abstract: A learning apparatus for image generation includes a preprocessing module configured to receive text for image generation and generate a sentence feature vector and a word feature vector from the received text, a first generative adversarial network (GAN) configured to receive the sentence feature vector from the preprocessing module and generate an initial image based on the received sentence feature vector, and a second generative adversarial network configured to receive the word feature vector generated by the preprocessing module and the initial image generated by the first generative adversarial network and generate a final image based on the word feature vector and the initial image.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, non-transitory computer readable storage media, and systems that generate synthetized digital images using class-specific generators for objects of different classes. The disclosed system modifies a synthesized digital image by utilizing a plurality of class-specific generator neural networks to generate a plurality of synthesized objects according to object classes identified in the synthesized digital image. The disclosed system determines object classes in the synthesized digital image such as via a semantic label map corresponding to the synthesized digital image. The disclosed system selects class-specific generator neural networks corresponding to the classes of objects in the synthesized digital image. The disclosed system also generates a plurality of synthesized objects utilizing the class-specific generator neural networks based on contextual data associated with the identified objects.

Abstract: A multi-stage pipelined Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) has an offset correction circuit embedded in the residue amplifier between stages. The offset corrector has a low-pass filter that filters the output of the residue amplifier, and the filtered offset is amplified and stored on an offset capacitor during an autozeroing phase of the residue amplifier. During an amplify phase of the residue amplifier, switches disconnect the amplifier from the offset capacitor and instead ground the input of the offset capacitor, and other switches connect the output terminal of the offset capacitor to the input of the residue amplifier. The offset stored on the offset capacitor is combined with the residue voltage from the first ADC stage's capacitor array and applied to an input of the residue amplifier to effectively subtract the detected offset. Two offset capacitors and sets of switches can be used to implement a differential offset corrector.

Abstract: A polarization imaging unit generates, as polarization information, a polarization image including pixels in a plurality of polarization directions. An interpolation processing unit of an information processor performs interpolation processing using the polarization image obtained from the polarization imaging unit, and generates a polarization image for each polarization method. A polarization degree calculation unit calculates, for example, a polarization degree for each pixel as object surface information on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method. A noise amount calculation unit calculates a noise amount for each pixel on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method and the like.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, devices, and the like for generating an adversarially resistant model. In one embodiment, a novel architecture is presented that enables the identification of an image that has been adversarially attacked. The system and method used in the identification introduce the use of a denoising module used to reconstruct the original image from the modified image received. Then, further to the reconstruction, an adversarially trained model is used to make a prediction using at least a determination of a loss that may exist between the original image and the denoised image.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rearward-viewing camera and a forward-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle. Image data captured by the cameras is provided to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit sends respective control data to the cameras, and the respective sent control data is stored in respective memory of the cameras. With the respective sent control data stored in the respective memory of the cameras, the electronic control unit sends a trigger signal to the cameras. Responsive to the sent trigger signal, the cameras load operational parameters of the respective stored control data into respective image sensors of the cameras so that the operational parameters of the respective image sensors of the cameras are synchronized. With the operational parameters of the respective image sensors of the cameras synchronized, image data is captured by the respective image sensors and is sent to the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A low-resolution image is displayed at higher resolution and afterimages are reduced. Resolution is nude higher by super-resolution processing. In this case, the super-resolution processing is performed after frame interpolation processing is performed. Further, in that case, the super-resolution processing is performed using a plurality of processing systems. Therefore, even when frame frequency is made higher, the super-resolution processing can be performed at high speed. Further, since frame rate doubling is performed by the frame interpolation processing, afterimages can be reduced.

Abstract: This application relates to control of semiconductor devices, in particular MOS devices, so as to reduce RTS/flicker noise. A circuit (100) includes a first MOS device (103, 104) and a bias controller (107). The circuit is operable in at least a first circuit state (PRO) in which the first MOS device is active to contribute to a first signal (Sout) and a second circuit state (PRST) in which the first MOS device does not contribute to the first signal. The bias controller is operable to control voltages at one or more terminals of the first MOS device to apply a pre-bias (VPB1, VPB2) during an instance of the second circuit state. The pre-bias is applied to set an occupancy state of charge carriers traps within the first MOS device, to limit noise during subsequent operation in the first circuit state. In embodiments, the bias controller is configured so that at least one parameter of the pre-bias is selectively variable in use based on one or more operating conditions.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating an electronic device that includes or utilizes a display panel. The display panel includes an organic light-emitting diode layer, an encapsulation layer disposed over the organic light-emitting diode layer, and a color filter layer disposed over the encapsulation layer. The color filter layer overhangs the organic light-emitting diode layer and comprises a first color filter cell of a first color component sub-pixel that at least partially overlaps an organic light-emitting diode of a second color component sub-pixel that is a different color compared to the first color component sub-pixel.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array with pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction, intersecting the first direction. Each of the pixels includes a photodiode, a pixel circuit below the photodiode, and a color filter on or above the photodiode. A logic circuit acquires a pixel signal from the pixels through a plurality of column lines extending in the second direction. The pixels include color pixels and white pixels, the number of white pixels being greater than the number of color pixels. The pixel circuit includes a floating diffusion in which charges of the photodiode are accumulated and transistors outputting a voltage corresponding to amounts of charges in the floating diffusion. Each of the color pixels shares the floating diffusion with at least one neighboring white pixel, adjacent thereto in the second direction, among the white pixels.

Abstract: A method of managing cleanliness of an interior of a vehicle includes: detecting indoor contamination using a contamination detector including at least a camera; receiving information on the next user including information on at least one user scheduled to ride in the vehicle; determining at least one harmful substance based on the result of detection of the indoor contamination and the information on the next user; and transmitting information on the determined at least one harmful substance to the external entity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensing device including a pixel array, wherein the pixel array includes a first sub-pixel array including pixels each having a green filter and disposed in a first diagonal direction, and pixels each having a white filter and disposed in a second diagonal direction, a second sub-pixel array including pixels each having the green filter and disposed in the first diagonal direction, and pixels each having the white filter and disposed in the second diagonal direction, a third sub-pixel array including pixels each having a red filter and disposed in the second diagonal direction, and pixels each having the white filter and disposed in the first diagonal direction, and a fourth sub-pixel array including pixels each having a blue filter and disposed in the second diagonal direction, and pixels each having the white filter and disposed in the first diagonal direction.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image pixels. The array of image pixel may be coupled to control circuitry and readout circuitry. One or more image pixels in the array may each include a coupled-gates structure coupling a photodiode at one input terminal to a capacitor at a first output terminal and to a floating diffusion region at a second output terminal. The coupled-gates structure may include a first transistor that sets a potential barrier defining overflow portions of the photodiode-generated charge. Second and third transistors in the coupled-gates structure may be modulated to transfer the overflow charge to the capacitor and to the floating diffusion region at suitable times. The second and third transistors may form a conductive path between the capacitor and the floating diffusion region for a low conversion gain mode of operation.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a first determination section and a first output section. First output data is obtained from a trained model, which has being trained beforehand, by input of first input data to the trained model. Second output data is obtained from the trained model by input of second input data to the trained model, in which second input data a perturbation of a specified perturbation amount is applied to the first input data. The first determination section makes a determination as to whether a change amount of the second output data relative to the first output data is not more than a pre-specified threshold. The first output section outputs information representing the first input data and a perturbation amount for which the change amount is determined by the first determination section to be not more than the threshold.

Abstract: To make it possible to obtain a natural virtual viewpoint image in which a structure or the like existing within an image capturing scene is represented three-dimensionally so as to be the same as a real one while suppressing a network load at the time of transmission of multi-viewpoint image data. The generation device according to the present invention generates a virtual viewpoint image based on three-dimensional shape data corresponding to an object, three-dimensional shape data corresponding to a structure, background data corresponding to a background different at least from the object and the structure, and information indicating a virtual viewpoint.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and devices for determining dimensions or distances of head features are provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of features in an image of a head of a person. A real dimension of at least one target feature of the plurality of features or a real distance between at least one target feature of the plurality features and a camera device used for capturing the image is estimated based on probability distributions for real dimensions of at least one feature of the plurality of features and a pixel dimension of the at least one feature of the plurality of features.

Abstract: A system for determining image capture degradation of a camera sensor is disclosed. The system is configured to capture a series of image frames by a camera of a vehicle over time. The system is configured to generate a latent image from a series of images captured by the camera. The system generates a plurality of frequency layers based on the latent image by, for example, performing a high frequency multiscale fusion transform. The system generates a plurality of frequency layers, each corresponding a spectral sub-band frequency, and each frequency layer includes the coefficients. The system generates a degradation map based on the processed activation map and generates an output based on the activation map. The output may be provided to an output system to wash the camera lens, notify a user or the vehicle of blockage, or modify image processing.

Abstract: A head-up display installed in a movable body includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image including a graphic, a vibration information acquisition unit that acquires vibration information indicating vibration of the moving body, an image correction unit that generates a corrected image by performing, on the image, a blurring correction for blurring a contour of the graphic in the image based on the vibration information, and a display unit that displays the corrected image in a space as a virtual image.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly (2) is disclosed. The actuator assembly comprises a support (21), a first stage (22) moveable in at least two different non-parallel directions in a first plane relative to the support, a first set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (271) configured to move the first stage in the first plane, a second stage (23) moveable in at least two different non-parallel in a second plane parallel to or coplanar with the first plane relative to the first stage, and a second set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (272) configured to move the second stage in the second plane. The first stage is coupled to the support via the first set of shape memory alloy wires and the second stage is coupled to the first stage via the second set of shape memory alloy wires such that movement of the second stage in the second plane with respect to the support is a combination of movement of the first stage relative to support and the second stage relative to the first stage.

Abstract: A column analog-to-digital converter and the local counting method is provided. The column analog-to-digital converter includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters in parallel. Each of the analog-to-digital converters includes a comparator and a counting circuit. The comparator compares the ramp voltage with one of the plurality of column signals to generate a comparator output signal. The counting circuit generates a local clock by means of a voltage-controlled oscillator of the counting circuit according to the base clock and the comparator output signal, counts the base clock and the local clock respectively to generate a first counting output and a second counting output, and combines the first counting output with the second counting output to generate the counting output.