Ess Technology, Inc.

Conexant Systems, Inc.

Joshua I Pine

Maged Bishay

Randall M Chung

Magued M Bishay

Yiliang Bao

Yilliang Bao

A system for generating image conversion data is provided. The system includes a numerator buffer storing numerator data of a conversion ratio, such as where the numerator of the ratio represents the relative current size of a set of image data and the denominator of the ratio represents the relative size of the target set of image data. A denominator buffer stores denominator data of the conversion ratio. A pixel sample control system receives the numerator data and the denominator data and generates pixel sample control data that is used to select a pixel from a pixel data stream, such as to allow a pixel dropping sequence or a pixel duplication sequence to be generated based on the values stored in the numerator buffer and the denominator buffer.

Image resolution conversion using pixel dropping

The disclosure is a solid-state imaging device, including a photosensor for collecting charge created by incident photons, a comparator for comparing a digital voltage value corresponding to the collected charge, to a predetermined value, and generating a comparison output, and a normalizing circuit for normalizing the digital voltage value, in response to the comparison output.

Solid-state imaging devices with improved dynamic range

A selectable resolution image capture system is provided having an array of photocells connected by a circuit that has a full-resolution and at least one low-resolution mode. The circuit converts electrical responses from the photocells, singly, or in grouped combinations, into digital signals. The circuit operates on both monochrome and color imagers. For monochrome imagers, a quarter-resolution mode is provided that renders the array of photocells into several four-contiguous-photocell blocks, and combines the electrical responses of the photocells of each block together. For color imagers, a quarter-resolution mode is provided that reads four same-colored photocells at a time using a one-step, three-step progression through the rows and columns of the photocell array. An image processor operates the circuit and a user interface permits a user to select between the full-resolution and low-resolution modes of the circuit to capture an image. The user interface includes automatic modes that cause the circuit to capture an image at a low resolution if lighting or power conditions disfavor a full-resolution capture.

Selectable resolution image capture system

Digital image enhancement techniques and apparatus are provided that increase the effective resolution of a digital imager without requiring an increase in the number of pixel sensors in the digital imager. Multiple images are captured in succession from the digital imager. The multiple images are compared in order to determine a correlation between the pixels of each image and the pixels of each of the other images. Two or more of the multiple images are employed to produce a single image of greater resolution than the resolution of any single image alone.

Imaging system combining multiple still images for higher resolution image output

An imaging system is provided to minimize pixel defects by capturing an image in the spatial frequency domain. An image processor receives the spatial frequency-domain image data from the imager and transforms the frequency-domain image data into spatial-domain image data. To capture the image in the spatial frequency domain, an optical lens is placed between a spatial representation of an image object and the imager. The optical lens performs an approximate Fourier transform on light emanating from the spatial representation of the image object toward the imager. The image processor performs an approximate inverse Fourier transform on the data received from the imager, restoring the spatial representation of the image.

Imaging system and method applying transformer lens and digital image reconstruction

The present invention envisions the use of a raw image buffer in an imager to aid the imager with power consumption problems and/or timing problems. When captured by the imager, data representing the image captured is directed either to processing circuitry or to a raw image buffer. The processing circuitry transforms the raw image data into a final image. The raw image data may be redirected into a raw image buffer for further processing at a later time. The raw image buffer may be used to buffer up a number of raw images, so that the processing circuitry may operate on the raw images in a single cohesive block of time rather than in intermittent bursts. Or, the raw image buffer may be used to aid in the speed of capturing images. If images are captured faster than the processing circuitry can process the raw data into a final version, the raw image data may be transferred into the raw image buffer for storage, thus allowing the processing circuitry to operate on the stored images in the raw image buffer. This can happen at a later time, thus enabling the imager to collect images at a faster rate than the processing circuitry can process the raw image data into a final version.

Imaging system having an image memory between the functional processing systems

An imaging system that can adaptively clock the component subsystems based upon the processing schedules of these subsystems is disclosed. Additionally, disclosed is an adaptively enabled multi-processor system based upon these processing schedules.

Imaging system having adaptive clocking in response to processing state

Off-grid interpolation in image processing. The present invention provides for a more perceptually pleasing resultant image when compared to conventional image processing systems that employ on-grid interpolation. In one embodiment, the present invention is operable on a digital image generated using a mask having a Bayer pattern distribution. Off-grid RGB triplets are generated using the raw data received from the Bayer pattern mask. The undesirable mosaic-type images as well as the bright and dark discontinuities within the image that are often generated using conventional on-grid interpolation to generate RGB triplet are avoided when using the present invention. The undesirable cross talk effects that are practically unavoidable to some degree within all digital image masks are also substantially minimized. Bi-linear interpolation and cubic linear interpolation are employed to achieve a digital image having a high visually perceptual quality. The invention ensures that very thin contours and lines within the image will maintain a consistent intensity and uniformity. Where the implementation of conventional on-grid interpolations image processing systems often compromises the quality of such objects, e.g., thin lines can get a broken or dashed appearance, the present invention ensures that they maintain an accurate perceptual consistency.

Off-grid interpolation in image processing

A digital camera that includes, among other things, a processor having a memory and a substrate having at least one pixel disposed thereon for absorbing light from an object. The pixel is electrically coupled to the processor for storing a digital image of the object in the memory of the processor. Also included in the digital camera is an electromechanical shutter mechanism that is moveably associated with the pixel. The electromechanical shutter system has a first position and a second position. The positions are selected according to commands from the processor of the digital camera. The first position exposes the pixel to the light from the object and the second position prevents exposure of the at least one pixel to the light. Various aspects of the present invention may also be found in an image capturing device that includes an adjustable aperture that allows light to pass through when opened and that prevents light from passing through when closed. A substrate is included in the image capturing device that has a plurality of pixels disposed thereon for capturing the light that passes through the adjustable aperture. Also included is a shutter mechanism that is used to control the amount of the light that the plurality of pixels receive when the adjustable aperture is opened. The shutter mechanism simultaneously adjusts the amount of light that each of the plurality of pixels receives. A processing device is included to store the data that is captured in each of the plurality of pixels such that the image capturing device is able to generate an image that is created by the light that passes through the adjustable aperture.

Exposure control in electromechanical imaging devices

System for improving the dynamic range of solid-state imaging devices

A digital imaging system generates a composite video signal and the carrier frequency of a desired television channel is generated internal to the imager integrated circuit. The carrier frequency is then amplitude modulated with the composite video signal by either digital or analog means located on-chip. Thus, a radio frequency signal that can be picked up by conventional television receivers is directly synthesized on-chip to provide a wireless video link.

Monolithic generation of RF for wireless transmission of video

An imager reduces lighting induced flicker by setting its pixel integration time to an integral multiple of the periods between peak intensity of the lighting. In one implementation, flicker is reduced in a 30 Hz frame rate camera capturing an image lighted with 50 Hz lighting by setting the integration time to approximately 10 ms, the period between lighting intensity peaks.

Image flicker reduction with fluorescent lighting

A silicon semi-conductor substrate includes a plurality of sequential devices therein, each sequential device requiring supply of clock pulses thereto at a selected system clock frequency. An infrared laser is disposed to expose the substrate to light pulses occurring at the system clock frequency. A plurality of photosensitive structures are distributed throughout the substrate such that each structure causes a respective sequential element to capture or latch data in response to the detection of the laser light pulses.

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Seal Beach, CA, United States of America

Joshua I Pine