Other

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Zilog, Inc.

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

Bae Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Fairchild Imaging, Inc.

Mark Hess

Raymond O Chock

Peter C Hsiang

Joseph Howard

Angel Rogelio Lopez

Benjamin Glace

William G Tian

Wolfgang F Fullbeck

Alexander Lu

Susanne Wagner

Edmond Tam

Wei Ding

Chien-Horn Lu

Dennis G Ballinger

Defect detection and correction circuitry for image sensors. Example circuitry includes dynamic defect detection circuitry configured to determine an average of a subset of a plurality of pixel output values, the subset excluding maximum and minimum values from among the plurality of pixel output values, determine one or more thresholds based on the average and a difference between a second highest pixel output value and a second lowest pixel output value from among the plurality of pixel output values, and based on an original output value of a pixel-under-correction (PUC) transgressing one of the thresholds, indicate that the PUC has a dynamic defect. The circuitry further includes defect correction circuitry configured to apply a defect correction process based the PUC having either a dynamic defect or a mapped defect, and to produce a corrected output value for the PUC based on the defect correction process.

Image sensors with dynamic pixel defect detection and correction

Techniques to provide compression and/or decompression. A method includes obtaining a first set of control points specifying a first set of compression ratios corresponding to respective first regions of a compression domain, and minimum and maximum uncompressed values within the compression domain. The method can further include scaling the first set of control points based on the minimum and maximum uncompressed values to obtain a scaled set of control points, wherein a first scaled control point is located at the minimum uncompressed value, and a last scaled control point is located at the maximum uncompressed value. The method can further include adjusting at least one scaled control point such that a first slope does not exceed 1. The method can further include compressing or decompressing between the compression domain and a range of compressed values, wherein a respective compression ratio corresponds to a respective slope of the set of slopes.

Techniques for image data compression automation

A high security microcontroller (such as in a point of sale terminal) includes tamper control circuitry for detecting vulnerability conditions: a write to program memory before the sensitive financial information has been erased, a tamper detect condition, the enabling of a debugger, a power-up condition, an illegal temperature condition, an illegal supply voltage condition, an oscillator fail condition, and a battery removal condition. If the tamper control circuitry detects a vulnerability condition, then the memory where the sensitive financial information could be stored is erased before boot loader operation or debugger operation can be enabled. Upon power-up if a valid image is detected in program memory, then the boot loader is not executed and secure memory is not erased but rather the image is executed. The tamper control circuitry is a hardware state machine that is outside control of user-loaded software and is outside control of the debugger.

Secure transaction microcontroller with secure boot loader

A system for detecting and communicating moisture leaking from a fluid conduit of the type comprising a fitting configured to mate with the fluid conduit, the fitting including an outer surface including an outer edge portion that is enclosed within the fluid conduit when positioning the fluid conduit over at least a portion of the outer surface, wherein the system includes a sensor for detecting moisture, the sensor being positioned proximate to the outer edge portion of the fitting and configured to generate a signal representing a result of moisture detection, and a receiver configured to receive the signal generated by the sensor. The system may include a communication circuit to provide wired or wireless communication between the sensor and the receiver. Other systems and method for detecting and communicating moisture leakage are further disclosed herein.

Systems and methods for detecting and communicating moisture leaks in fluid conduits

Secure transaction microcontroller with tamper control circuitry

A point of sale terminal includes a microcontroller integrated circuit. In one aspect, a regulator within the IC receives power from a supply voltage terminal and/or a battery terminal. If the regulator does not receive adequate power from either terminal, then energy stored on-chip in a capacitor is used to erase secure memory. In another aspect, pulses of current are made to pulse through conductors of a conductive mesh. A tamper condition is detected if an improper voltage is detected on the IC terminal through which the pulse is conducted. In another aspect, each vendor signs his/her firmware with his own vendor ID. A bootloader uses the vendor ID to lookup a public key that is then used to verify a private key supplied by the firmware to be executed. In another aspect, a magnetic card reader includes a digital peak detector circuit involving programmable positive and negative thresholds.

Magnetic stripe reader having digital peak detector

Point of sale terminal having pulsed current tamper control sensing

A fitting for a sanitary hose assembly includes a rigid, tubular stem, a cylindrical ferrule, and an annular seal, which coact with the end of the hose to achieve a uniformly leakproof seal for a material flow path through the hose and into the fitting. One end of the ferrule extends over the outer end of the hose, such that the ferrule engages the hose and extends slightly beyond the hose. An inner end of the stem extends through an outer end of the ferrule and into the hose, such that the outer surface of the stem frictionally engages the internal surface of the hose. The stem has an outer end adapted to connect to a similar structure, internal threads which cooperatively engage similar threads on the ferrule, and an outwardly directed land adjacent the threads. The threaded coupling of the stem and the ferrule fixes their relative axial relationship, and also axially compresses the annular seal between. The ferrule is radially crimped to compress the end of the hose between the stem and the ferrule. This combination of components provides a circumferentially uniform and leakproof seal between the hose and the fitting, at relatively low cost.

Fitting for a sanitary hose

A flexible hose formed from corrugated metal tube has a fitting permanently crimped to the end of the hose. The fitting includes an elongated stem having a first end adapted to be coupled to an appropriate fitting surface and a second end configured to be received within the hose. A sealing member disposed on the second end of the stem seals the fitting between the corrugated metal tube and the stem. A ferrule is placed over the hose and is crimped to compress the hose and sealing member between the ferrule and stem.

Fitting for a flexible metal hose

Human coronary heart disease susceptibility gene (CHD1), some alleles of which are related to susceptibility to coronary heart disease. Germline mutations in the CHD1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to coronary heart disease and to metabolic disorders, including hypoalphalipoproteinemia, familial combined hyperlipidemia, insulin resistant syndrome X or multiple metabolic disorder, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemic hypertension. Presymptomatic therapy of individuals who carry deleterious alleles of the CHD1 gene (including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy, and administration of protein mimetics and inhibitors). The screening of drugs for dyslipidemic therapy.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Mark Hess