Leland Stanford Junior University

Actel Corporation, Inc.

Lightspeed Semiconductor Corporation

Siarc

Synopsys, Inc.

Abbas A El Gamal

Jonathan W Greene

Mark Jacob Schnitzer

Eric Cocker

Kunal Ghosh

Tatt Wei Ho

Laurie D Burns

Douglas C Galbraith

Helmy A Eltoukhy

Steve S Chiang

Amr M Mohsen

Khaled A El-Ayat

Khaled Salama

Xinqiao Liu

Boyd Fowler

Dana How

Adi Srinivasan

Justin M Reyneri

John L McCollum

Ta-Pen R Guo

Sam Kavusi

Sinan Kaptanoglu

Jeffrey M DiCarlo

Stephen P Boyd

Brian A Wandell

David P Marple

Ivo J Dobbelaere

Khaled A El Ayat

David Yang

Khaled A El-Avat

Lieven Vandenberghe

Sukhwan Lim

David Xiao Dong Yang

Johathan W Greene

Systems, methods and devices are implemented for microscope imaging solutions. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed toward an epifluorescence microscope. The microscope includes an image capture circuit including an array of optical sensor. An optical arrangement is configured to direct excitation light of less than about 1 mW to a target object in a field of view of that is at least 0.5 mmand to direct epi-fluorescence emission caused by the excitation light to the array of optical sensors. The optical arrangement and array of optical sensors are each sufficiently close to the target object to provide at least 2.5 &#x3bc;m resolution for an image of the field of view.

Microscopy imaging device with advanced imaging properties

Characteristics of a chemical or biological sample are detected using an approach involving light detection. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an assaying arrangement including a light detector is adapted to detect light from a sample, such as a biological material. A signal corresponding to the detected light is used to characterize the sample, for example, by detecting a light-related property thereof. In one implementation, the assaying arrangement includes integrated circuitry having a light detector and a programmable processor, with the light detector generating a signal corresponding to the light and sending the signal to the processor. The processor provides an output corresponding to the signal and indicative of a characteristic of the sample.

Biological analysis arrangement and approach therefor

A new adaptive pixel architecture, folded-multiple-capture (FMC), integrates synchronous self-reset and multiple capture schemes and advantageously eliminates the requirement of a high-frame-rate sensor array, which is essential for conventional image sensors with high dynamic range. The FMC comprises a per-pixel analog-front-end (AFE), a fine analog-digital convertor (ADC) stage, and a digital-signal-processor/controller (DSPC) stage. The AFE performs programmable gain control, synchronous self-reset, sample-and-hold, and enables disturbance detection. In the AFE, a comparator compares an integrator output with a threshold voltage and produces a binary sequence accordingly. The ADC utilizes the binary sequence and the folded multiple capture signals to estimate photocurrent. An image sensor embodying the present invention adapts integration time to signal level, has minimal per-pixel hardware requirement, provides a very high dynamic range, about 120 dB or more, at high speed, about 1,000 frames/s or more, detects and corrects subframe disturbances, and consumes significantly less power.

Adaptive pixel for high dynamic range and disturbance detection and correction

Motion/Saturation detection system and method for synthesizing high dynamic range motion blur free images from multiple captures, the system and method utilizing photocurrent estimation to reduce read noise and enhance dynamic range at the low illumination end, saturation detection to enhance dynamic range at the high illumination end, and motion blur detection to ensure the photocurrent estimation is not corrupted by motion. Motion blur detection also makes it possible to extend exposure time and to capture more images, which can be used to further enhance dynamic range at the low illumination end. The present invention operates completely locally, making it well suited for single chip digital camera implementations.

Motion/saturation detection system and method for synthesizing high dynamic range motion blur free images from multiple captures

A method for improving SNR without reducing dynamic range in a CMOS video sensor system under low illumination is described, wherein the CMOS video sensor system employing self-reset DPS architecture includes pixel level A/D conversion and wherein each DPS pixels is capable of resetting itself whenever a corresponding diode reaches saturation during integration time, the method comprising the steps of eliminating global frame reset for the self-reset DPS pixels, capturing and storing a plurality of frames, extending integration time beyond frame readout time, and generating frame images using one or more previously stored frames.

Method for improving SNR in low illumination conditions in a CMOS video sensor system using a self-resetting digital pixel

A gate array in accordance with the invention includes a matrix of function blocks capable of being configured to implement combinational, sequential, and memory modes of operation, as well as providing tri-state drivers and buffers in useful numbers. The function block includes a logic circuit with a first bit storage unit, which is selectively configurable to behave as combinational logic or to store a first bit, and a second bit storage unit, which is also selectively configurable to behave as combinational logic or to store a second bit. The matrix of function blocks in accordance with the invention is also useful to properly distribute clocks throughout the gate array.

Function block architecture for gate array

A functional block for a CMOS circuit within the core of an integrated circuit chip and a method of making the same is disclosed. The functional block uses both thick and thin gate oxide transistors which reduces the leakage current and increases the voltage swing while permitting the device scaling in circuits made in CMOS technology. Within the functional block, the distance between a thick oxide transistor and a thin oxide transistor is chosen based on a transistor stability criterion. The thick and thin oxide transistors can be connected to identical or different voltage sources. Further, a transistor within a functional block can be chosen to be thick or thin oxide transistor based on a leakage current threshold or a voltage swing threshold.

Thin and thick gate oxide transistors on a functional block of a CMOS circuit residing within the core of an IC chip

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Abbas A El Gamal